Gaming object and gaming console that communicate user data via backscattering and methods for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A gaming object includes a memory for storing user data. A radio frequency identification (RFID) transceiver is coupled to receive an RF signal from a game console; convert the RF signal into a power signal for powering the gaming object; and backscatter the RF signal based on user data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention is claiming priority under 35 USC §119(e) to aprovisionally filed patent application having the title VIDEO GAMINGSYSTEM WITH POSITION AND MOTION TRACKING, a filing date of Jun. 22,2007, and an application No. of 60/936,724.

The present application is related to the following copendingapplications:

U.S. patent application having Ser. No. ______, GAME CONSOLE AND GAMINGOBJECT WITH MOTION PREDICTION MODELING AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH,filed on ______;

U.S. patent application having Ser. No. ______, MOBILE COMMUNICATIONDEVICE WITH GAMING MODE AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH, filed on ______;and

U.S. patent application having Ser. No. ______, MULTI-MODE MOBILECOMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH MOTION SENSOR AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH,filed on ______.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention Descriptionof Related Art

This invention relates generally to wireless systems and moreparticularly to wireless devices that communicate with a remote gamedevice.

Description of Related Art

Communication systems are known to support wireless and wire linedcommunications between wireless and/or wire lined communication devices.Such communication systems range from national and/or internationalcellular telephone systems to the Internet to point-to-point in-homewireless networks to radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. Eachtype of communication system is constructed, and hence operates, inaccordance with one or more communication standards. For instance, radiofrequency (RF) wireless communication systems may operate in accordancewith one or more standards including, but not limited to, RFID, IEEE802.11, Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS,global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division multipleaccess (CDMA), local multi-point distribution systems (LMDS),multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS), and/or variationsthereof. As another example, infrared (IR) communication systems mayoperate in accordance with one or more standards including, but notlimited to, IrDA (Infrared Data Association).

Depending on the type of RF wireless communication system, a wirelesscommunication device, such as a cellular telephone, two-way radio,personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer (PC), laptopcomputer, home entertainment equipment, RFID reader, RFID tag, et ceteracommunicates directly or indirectly with other wireless communicationdevices. For direct communications (also known as point-to-pointcommunications), the participating wireless communication devices tunetheir receivers and transmitters to the same channel or channels (e.g.,one of the plurality of radio frequency (RF) carriers of the wirelesscommunication system) and communicate over that channel(s). For indirectwireless communications, each wireless communication device communicatesdirectly with an associated base station (e.g., for cellular services)and/or an associated access point (e.g., for an in-home or in-buildingwireless network) via an assigned channel. To complete a communicationconnection between the wireless communication devices, the associatedbase stations and/or associated access points communicate with eachother directly, via a system controller, via the public switch telephonenetwork, via the Internet, and/or via some other wide area network.

For each RF wireless communication device to participate in wirelesscommunications, it includes a built-in radio transceiver (i.e., receiverand transmitter) or is coupled to an associated radio transceiver (e.g.,a station for in-home and/or in-building wireless communicationnetworks, RF modem, etc.). As is known, the receiver is coupled to theantenna and includes a low noise amplifier, one or more intermediatefrequency stages, a filtering stage, and a data recovery stage. The lownoise amplifier receives inbound RF signals via the antenna andamplifies then. The one or more intermediate frequency stages mix theamplified RF signals with one or more local oscillations to convert theamplified RF signal into baseband signals or intermediate frequency (IF)signals. The filtering stage filters the baseband signals or the IFsignals to attenuate unwanted out of band signals to produce filteredsignals. The data recovery stage recovers raw data from the filteredsignals in accordance with the particular wireless communicationstandard.

As is also known, the transmitter includes a data modulation stage, oneor more intermediate frequency stages, and a power amplifier. The datamodulation stage converts raw data into baseband signals in accordancewith a particular wireless communication standard. The one or moreintermediate frequency stages mix the baseband signals with one or morelocal oscillations to produce RF signals. The power amplifier amplifiesthe RF signals prior to transmission via an antenna.

In most applications, radio transceivers are implemented in one or moreintegrated circuits (ICs), which are inter-coupled via traces on aprinted circuit board (PCB). The radio transceivers operate withinlicensed or unlicensed frequency spectrums. For example, wireless localarea network (WLAN) transceivers communicate data within the unlicensedIndustrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) frequency spectrum of 900 MHz,2.4 GHz, and 5 GHz. While the ISM frequency spectrum is unlicensed thereare restrictions on power, modulation techniques, and antenna gain.

In IR communication systems, an IR device includes a transmitter, alight emitting diode, a receiver, and a silicon photo diode. Inoperation, the transmitter modulates a signal, which drives the LED toemit infrared radiation which is focused by a lens into a narrow beam.The receiver, via the silicon photo diode, receives the narrow beaminfrared radiation and converts it into an electric signal.

IR communications are used video games to detect the direction in whicha game controller is pointed. As an example, an IR sensor is placed nearthe game display, where the IR sensor to detect the IR signaltransmitted by the game controller. If the game controller is too faraway, too close, or angled away from the IR sensor, the IR communicationwill fail.

Further advances in video gaming include three accelerometers in thegame controller to detect motion by way of acceleration. The motion datais transmitted to the game console via a Bluetooth wireless link. TheBluetooth wireless link may also transmit the IR direction data to thegame console and/or convey other data between the game controller andthe game console.

While the above technologies allow video gaming to include motionsensing, it does so with limitations. As mentioned, the IR communicationhas a limited area in which a player can be for the IR communication towork properly. Further, the accelerometer only measures accelerationsuch that true one-to-one detection of motion is not achieved. Thus, thegaming motion is limited to a handful of directions (e.g., horizontal,vertical, and a few diagonal directions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 presents a pictorial block diagram representation of a wirelessnetwork 111 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 presents a pictorial block diagram representation of acommunication device 117 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 presents a pictorial block diagram representation of acommunication device 117 in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 presents a pictorial block diagram representation of acommunication device 117 in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 presents a pictorial block diagram representation of acommunication device 117 in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 presents a pictorial block diagram representation of acommunication device 117 in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationdevice 10 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 30 inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 30′ inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a GPS receiver 210 used togenerate position in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a graphical representation of position information determinedin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of a GPS receiver 210 used togenerate position in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a graphical representation of position information determinedin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a gyrating circuit 200 and GPSreceiver 210 used to generate position and velocity information inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a graphical representation of position information determinedin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of a gyrating circuit 200 and GPSreceiver 210 used to generate position and velocity information inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of RF transceiver135 and GPS receiver 187 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of RF transceiver135′ and with dual mode receiver 137′ in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 21 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 22 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 23 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 24 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram of an overhead view of anembodiment of a gaming system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a schematic block diagram of a side view of an embodiment ofa gaming system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a schematic block diagram of an overhead view of anotherembodiment of a gaming system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a schematic block diagram of a side view of anotherembodiment of a gaming system in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 30-32 are diagrams of an embodiment of a coordinate system of agaming system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a schematic block diagram representation of a gaming systemin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention that includescommunication device 117;

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationdevice 10′ in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RFID readerand an RFID tag in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a diagram of an example of positioning and/or motioning of agame controller to select an item on the display of a game console inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a diagram of a method for processing a position and/or motionbased selection in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 38 is a diagram of a method for processing a position and/or motionbased gaming action in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 39 is a schematic block diagram of a side view of anotherembodiment of a gaming system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 40 is a schematic block diagram representation of a gaming systemin accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a graphical representation of trajectory data determined inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a graphical representation of trajectory data determined inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 43 is a graphical representation of trajectory data determined inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 44 is a schematic block diagram representation of a gaming systemin accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 45 is a schematic block diagram of a side view of anotherembodiment of a gaming system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 46 is a schematic block diagram representation of a gaming systemin accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 47 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RFID readerand an RFID tag in accordance another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 48 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 49 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 50 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 51 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 52 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 53 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 54 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 55 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 56 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 57 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 58 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 59 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 60 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 61 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 62 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 63 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 64 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 65 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention. In particular acommunication system is shown that includes a communication device 10that communicates real-time data 24 and non-real-time data 26 wirelesslywith one or more other devices such as base station 18, non-real-timedevice 20, real-time device 22, and non-real-time and/or real-timedevice 25. In addition, communication device 10 can also optionallycommunicate over a wireline connection with non-real-time device 12,real-time device 14 and non-real-time and/or real-time device 16.

In an embodiment of the present invention the wireline connection 28 canbe a wired connection that operates in accordance with one or morestandard protocols, such as a universal serial bus (USB), Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 488, IEEE 1394 (Firewire),Ethernet, small computer system interface (SCSI), serial or paralleladvanced technology attachment (SATA or PATA), or other wiredcommunication protocol, either standard or proprietary. The wirelessconnection can communicate in accordance with a wireless networkprotocol such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), WIMAX, orother wireless network protocol, a wireless telephony data/voiceprotocol such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GeneralPacket Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution(EDGE), Personal Communication Services (PCS), or other mobile wirelessprotocol, RFID of other RF tag protocol or other wireless communicationprotocol, either standard or proprietary. Further, the wirelesscommunication path can include separate transmit and receive paths thatuse separate carrier frequencies and/or separate frequency channels.Alternatively, a single frequency or frequency channel can be used tobi-directionally communicate data to and from the communication device10.

Communication device 10 can be a mobile phone such as a cellulartelephone, a personal digital assistant, game device, personal computer,laptop computer, or other device that performs one or more functionsthat include communication of voice and/or data via wireline connection28 and/or the wireless communication path. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, the real-time and non-real-time devices 12, 14 16,18, 20, 22 and 25 can be a game console, access points, personalcomputers, laptops, PDAs, mobile phones, such as cellular telephones,devices equipped with wireless local area network or Bluetoothtransceivers, FM tuners, TV tuners, digital cameras, digital camcorders,or other devices that either produce, process or use audio, videosignals or other data or communications.

In operation, the communication device includes one or more applicationsthat include voice communications such as standard telephonyapplications, voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications, localgaming, Internet gaming, email, instant messaging, multimedia messaging,web browsing, audio/video recording, audio/video playback, audio/videodownloading, playing of streaming audio/video, office applications suchas databases, spreadsheets, word processing, presentation creation andprocessing and other voice and data applications. In conjunction withthese applications, the real-time data 26 includes telephony data,voice, audio, video, multimedia data, display data, motion data, forapplication such as telephony, gaming, or other applications. Thenon-real-time data 24 includes text messaging, email, web browsing, fileuploading and downloading, authentication data, user preferences, andother data used in any of the application discussed above.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 10includes an integrated circuit, such as an RF integrated circuit thatincludes one or more features or functions of the present invention.Such features and functions shall be described in greater detail inassociation with FIGS. 5-65 that follow.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 2 presents a communication system that includes manycommon elements of FIG. 1 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. Communication device 30 is similar to communication device 10and is capable of any of the applications, functions and featuresattributed to communication device 10, as discussed in conjunction withFIG. 1. However, communication device 30 includes one or more separatewireless transceivers for communicating, contemporaneously, via two ormore wireless communication protocols with data device 32 and/or database station 34 via RF data 40 and voice base station 36 and/or voicedevice 38 via RF voice signals 42.

FIG. 3 presents a pictorial representation of a wireless network 111 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The wirelessnetwork 111 includes an access point 110 that is coupled to packetswitched backbone network 101. The access point 110 managescommunication flow over the wireless network 111 destined for andoriginating from each of communication devices 121, 123, 117 and 127.Via the access point 110, each of the communication devices 121, 123,117 and 127 can access service provider network 105 and Internet 103 to,for example, surf web-sites, download audio and/or video programming,send and receive messages such as text messages, voice message andmultimedia messages, access broadcast, stored or streaming audio, videoor other multimedia content, play games, send and receive telephonecalls, and perform any other activities, provided directly by accesspoint 110 or indirectly through packet switched backbone network 101.

One or more of the communication devices 121, 123, 117 and 127, such ascommunication device 117 is a mobile device that can include thefunctionality of communication devices 10 or 30. In particular,communication device 125 includes an RF integrated circuit (IC)optionally including a motion sensor such as an accelerometer, RFID tag,or on-chip gyrating circuit that generates motion parameters based onmotion of the device including a velocity, velocity vector, acceleration(including deceleration) and/or other motion parameter. In addition,communication device 117 optionally includes a GPS receiver thatgenerates GPS position data and/or GPS velocity data. The RF ICprocesses the optional GPS position data and GPS velocity data and theoptional motion parameters to produce motion data 113, such as positioninformation and velocity information that identifies the location,velocity, orientation and/or direction of motion of the communicationdevice 117. The RF IC can use data from either the optional motionsensor or the GPS receiver or both to generate the motion data. If forinstance the GPS receiver is running and receiving a strong signal, GPSposition and velocity data can be used to generate the motion data 113.If however, the GPS receiver is starting up, has lost satellitereception, the device is transmitting or the GPS receiver is otherwisegenerating inaccurate data, either the optional motion sensor or anextrapolation of past data can be used to generate velocity informationand can further generate position information from the last knowposition coordinates and/or velocity.

In addition, where high data rate motion data 113 is required for anapplication, for instance a gaming application where the communicationdevice is used to communicate motion data to a game console or gameserver in conjunction with a local game or an online game, the GPSreceiver can generate a reference position and the optional motionsensor can be used to generate motion vectors or other differentposition data at sample periods such as 10 msec, 20 msec, 50 msec, 100msec, or some other data sample period.

The RF IC optionally generates outbound data that includes the motiondata 113 and/or a flag or other data that indicates communication device117 is a mobile device, generates an outbound RF signal from outbounddata and transmits the outbound RF signal to a remote station, such asthe access point 110.

In operation, access point 110 can optionally change its own transmitand receive characteristics, based on the knowledge that communicationdevice 117 is mobile, is in motion and/or based on information from avelocity vector or other motion data 113 that indicates that thecommunication device 125 is moving into closer range, is moving out ofrange, is moving close to a known source of interference, is moving intoor away from an obstructed path, etc. Examples of transmit and receivecharacteristics include: transmit power levels; antenna configurationssuch as multi-input multi-output (MIMO) configuration, beam patterns,polarization patterns, diversity configurations, etc. to adapt theorientation and/or position of the communication device; protocolparameters and other transmit and receive characteristics of the accesspoint.

In addition, access point 110 can generate optionally control data 99 totransmit to the communication device 117 and/or the communicationdevices 121, 123 and 127, to modify the transmit and receivecharacteristics of these devices. Further, in an embodiment of thepresent invention, access point 110 can generate a request to receiveperiodic motion data from the communication device 117. Alternatively,communication device 117 can generate and transmit motion data on aregular and/or periodic basis or in response to changes in motion data113 that compare unfavorably (such as to exceed) a motion changethreshold, such as to inform the access point 110 when the communicationdevice 117 starts, stops, changes speed and/or direction, etc.

For example, communication device 117 can indicate to access point 110that it is a mobile device, and access point 110 can request thatcommunication device 117 send periodic motion data 113. If the accesspoint 110 determines that the communication device 117 is moving out ofrange, it can increase its power level, and steer its antenna beam inthe direction of the communication device 117 and command thecommunication device 117 to modify one or more if its transmit and/orreceive parameters, to increase its power level, steer its antenna beamat the access point and/or to modify other antenna parameters tocompensate for a possible lowering of signal to noise ratio, etc.

Further access point 110 can operate to manage the transmit and receivecharacteristics by the adjustment of the protocol or protocols used incommunicating between the access point 110 and the client devices 121,123, 117 and 127 and power levels inherent in and associated therewith.In one mode of operation, access point 110 can selectively adjust one ormore protocol parameters, such as the packet length, data rate, forwarderror correction, error detection, coding scheme, data payload length,contention period, and back-off parameters used by access point 110 incommunication with one or more of the client devices 121, 123, 117 and127, based on the analysis of the motion data 113. In this fashion, theprotocol parameters can be adapted to compensate for the motion of oneor more communication devices, such as communication device 117, toconserve power, increase throughput, and/or to minimize unnecessarytransmission power utilization based on the conditions of the network.

For example, in the event that a mobile client device, such ascommunication device 117 is anticipated to have difficulty detectingtransmissions from communication device 123 because it is moving out ofrange, access point 110 can modify the protocol parameters so thattransmissions by communication device 117 include more aggressive errorcorrecting codes, increased back-off times and/or smaller data payloadsor packet length to increase the chances that a packet will be receivedin the event of contention by communication device 123. In addition,decreasing the packet length can increase the frequency ofacknowledgements transmitted by access point 110. These acknowledgementscan be transmitted at a power level sufficient to be heard bycommunication device 123. With increased back-off times, communicationdevice 123 has less opportunity to create a potential contention.

In a further mode of operation, access point 110 and communicationdevices 121, 123, 117 and 127 can operate using a plurality ofdifferent, and potentially complimentary, protocols having differentprotocol parameters. Access point 110 can likewise select a particularone of a plurality of protocols that suits the particular conditionspresent in the wireless network 111, as determined based on anassessment of motion data 113. For instance, an access point can selectfrom 802.11(n), 802.11(g) or 802.11(b) protocols having differentprotocol parameters, data rates, etc, based on the particular protocolbest suited to the current mobility status of communication devices 121,123, 117 and 127.

While the description above has focused on the control of transmit andreceive characteristics of communication devices 121, 123, 117 and 127based on control data 115 received from access point 110, in anembodiment of the present invention, each of these communication devicescan respond to its own motion data, such as motion data 113, to controlits transmit and receive characteristics, without intervention from theaccess point. For example, if the communication device 117 determines itis moving out of range, it can increase its power level, and steer itsantenna beam in the direction of the access point 110 and/or modifyother protocol parameters to compensate for a possible lowering ofsignal to noise ratio, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication devices121, 123, 117 and 127 adjusts the manner in which position informationis determined based on whether or not the wireless transceiver istransmitting. In particular, potential interference caused by thetransmission could corrupt the GPS data received during this period. Thepresent invention adjusts the determination of position informationduring transceiver transmissions to compensate for the potential loss orcorruption of current GPS position data by, for instance, de-weightingthe current GPS position data and relying instead on position data thatis estimated based on prior GPS position and/or velocity data or basedon motion data generated by an optional motion sensor.

While motion data 113 has been discussed above primarily with respect tothe control of communications in a communications application and forgaming such as local or Internet gaming, motion data 113 generated insuch a fashion can further be used in support of other applications suchas position and navigation services, location-based services,authentication services and other applications where the position,orientation or location of the communication device 117 is useful orrequired. Particular attention to the use of communication device 117 ina separate gaming mode of operation will be discussed in greater detailin conjunction with FIG. 26-44. Further details including several othermethods and implementations will be discussed in conjunction with FIGS.4-25 that follow.

FIG. 4 presents a pictorial representation of a wireless network inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular,communication device 117 is a wireless telephone device or other devicethat includes a wireless telephony transceiver and that, in a telephonymode of operation, is capable of placing a receiving conventionalwireless telephone calls, voice over internet protocol telephone calls,communicating via a wireless telephony protocol such as cellular voiceor data protocol such as GSM, GPRS, AMPS, UMTS, EDGE or other wirelesstelephony protocol that can be used to communicate with a network 119,such as a wireless telephone or data network, the Internet or othernetwork, via base station or access point 118. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, communication device 117 includes a GPS receiver andgenerates position information that is used by communication device 117and/or network 119 for location-based services, for placing emergencycalls such as 911 (e911) calls.

In addition, the position information can be used by communicationdevice 110 for adjusting transmit, receive and antenna characteristicsbased on the position or motion of communication device 117, either byitself or based on information obtained from a base station/access pointsuch as base station or access point 118 in a similar fashion tocommunication device 117 discussed in conjunction with FIG. 3. In anembodiment of the present invention, can optionally adjust thedetermination of position information during transceiver transmissionsto compensate for the potential loss or corruption of current GPSposition data by, for instance, de-weighting the current GPS positiondata and relying instead on position data that is estimated based onprior GPS position and/or velocity data or based on motion datagenerated by an optional motion sensor.

In addition, communication device 117 can be a dual mode or multi-modedevice that can be used in a gaming mode of operation. In this mode,communication 117 uses one or more sensors, such as a microphone,button, joy-stick, thumb wheel, motion sensor, touch screen or photosensor, for generating gaming data 66 in response to the actions of auser. In addition, the communication device 117 can us its wirelesstelephony transceiver to sends the gaming data 66 to a game device 115in the gaming mode of operation.

For example, the game device 115 can be a game console, such as a homegaming console, set-top box, arcade game or other local game device thatruns a game, such as a video game and generates display data, such asaudio and/or video display data, that can be transferred to displaydevice 125 for display. The display device can be a television, monitor,or display screen, with or without corresponding audio productionequipment, that is either integrated in game device 115 or connected togame device 115 via a port such as a video, multimedia or graphics port.Communication device 117 can operate as a game controller, joystick,remote controller, simulated sword, simulated gun, or be a simulatedhelmet, a vest, a hat, shoes, socks, pants, shorts, gloves, racquet,paddle, bat, musical instrument, or other gaming object to producegaming data 66 to interact with the game. Gaming data can be gamecommands and preferences, user selections, authentication data controldata, motion data or other data associated with a user's access to,set-up, and operation of a game. In this fashion, a user can operatecommunication device 117 as a wireless telephone to place and receivetelephone calls, surf the Web or download ringtones, etc. In addition,the user can operate communication device 117 in a gaming mode ofoperation to interact with one or more games provided by game device115.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the wireless telephonyreceiver of communication device 117 communicates directly with acompatible transceiver or receiver included in game device 115. Giventhe proximity of these devices during normal gaming conditions, thewireless telephony transceiver of communication device 117 adjusts itstransmit power to a low power state in the gaming mode of operation sothat, when sending the gaming data 66, the communication device 117reduces possible interference with the base station or access point 118and other devices and further operates with reduced power consumption.In one mode of operation, the wireless telephony receiver of game device115 can likewise send other gaming data back to communication device 117in conjunction with the set-up and operation of a game, theestablishment of communication between the game device 115 and thecommunication device 117, the authentication of a user of communicationdevice 117, etc. This other gaming data can further include display datafor display on the display device of communication device 117. Whencommunicating signals or other gaming data back to communication device115, game device 115 can likewise operate in a low power state, eitherpermanently or on a case-by-case basis, to avoid interference with thebase station or access point 118 and other devices.

FIG. 5 presents a pictorial block diagram representation of acommunication device 117 in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention. In particular, an embodiment is shown that includessimilar elements from the embodiment of FIG. 4 that are referred to bycommon reference numerals. As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 4,communication device 117 can operate in a telephony mode of operationand communicate with network, such as network 119, via a base station oraccess point 118. In addition, the wireless telephony transceiver ofcommunication device 117 can, in a gaming mode of operation, send datato and/or receive data from the game device 115.

In this embodiment however, game device 115 is itself coupled to anetwork 119 via a narrow or broadband modem, network card or otherinterface that is capable of transceiving data with the network 119 on awireless or wired basis. In this fashion, the game device 115 canoperate in conjunction with communication device 117 to select gamingapplications that are stored on network 119 either by downloading andexecuting these gaming application or by executing these applications ona gaming server or other device coupled to network 119. In this fashion,the user of communication device 117 and gaming device 115 can access awider variety of games, receive game updates engage in multiplayergames, and execute gaming applications based on data received fromnetwork 119.

In another mode of operation, game device 115 can obtain conditionalaccess information via the network 119. For instance, game device 115can be located in an arcade or other public location where many usersmay access the game device. Users of communication devices, such ascommunication device 117, can subscriber to a service, either for alimited period or on an on-going basis, that allows the user to accessthe game device 115 in order to play one or more games. During aninitial exchange between communication device 117 and game device 115gaming data 66 is provided to game device 115 that includes passwords,logon identifiers or other conditional access data that can beauthenticated by game device 115 via network 119 prior to allowing theuser of communication device 117 to play the game.

FIG. 6 presents a pictorial block diagram representation of acommunication device 117 in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention. In particular, an embodiment is shown that includessimilar elements from the embodiments of FIGS. 4-5 that are referred toby common reference numerals. As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 4,communication device 117 can operate in a telephony mode of operationand communicate with network, such as network 119, via a base station oraccess point 118. In addition, the wireless telephony transceiver ofcommunication device 117 can, in a gaming mode of operation, send gamingdata to and/or receive data from the game device 115.

In this embodiment, communication device 117 can further operate in agaming mode of operation to send the gaming data 66 to the gaming device115 by transmitting radio frequency signals via its wireless telephonytransceiver to base station or access point 118 for communication withgame device 115 over network 119. In particular, in implementationswhere game device 115 either does not include its own wireless telephonyreceiver or transceiver or the communication device 117 is out of rangeof the wireless telephony transceiver or receiver of game device 115,communication device 117 can nevertheless interact with the game device115 to play a game.

As in the embodiment of FIG. 5, game device 115 is itself coupled to anetwork 119 via a narrow or broadband modem, network card or otherinterface that is capable of transceiving data with the network 119 on awireless or wired basis. In this fashion, the communication device 117can interact with network 119 to access game device 115. For example,during an initial exchange between communication device 117 and network119 gaming data 66 is provided to network 119 to select a game devicethat is coupled to network 119, such as game device 115. The gaming data66 can include passwords, logon identifiers or other conditional accessdata that can be authenticated by either network 119 or game device 115prior to allowing the user of communication device 117 to play a game.

FIG. 7 presents a pictorial block diagram representation of acommunication device 117 in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention. In particular, an embodiment is shown that includessimilar elements from the embodiments of FIGS. 4-6 that are referred toby common reference numerals. As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 4,communication device 117 can operate in a telephony mode of operationand communicate with network, such as network 119, via a base station oraccess point 118. However in this embodiment, game device 115′ is a gameserver or other device that is coupled to network 119 that runs a game,such as a video game and interacts with communication device 117 viagaming data 66. In this embodiment, communication device 117 can furtheroperate in a gaming mode of operation to send the gaming data 66 to thegaming device 115 by transmitting radio frequency signals via itswireless telephony transceiver to base station or access point 118 forcommunication with game device 115 over network 119. Game device 115′further generates display data 68, such as audio, video and/ormultimedia display data, that can be transferred to back to thecommunication device 117 for display on the display device associatedtherewith.

As in the example presented in conjunction with FIG. 7, during aninitial exchange between communication device 117 and network 119,gaming data 66 is provided to network 119 to select a game device thatis coupled to network 119, such as game device 115′. The gaming data 66can include passwords, logon identifiers or other conditional accessdata that can be authenticated by either network 119 or game device 115′ prior to allowing the user of communication device 117 to play a game.

FIG. 8 presents a pictorial block diagram representation of acommunication device 117 in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention. In particular, an embodiment is shown that includessimilar elements from the embodiments of FIGS. 4-6 that are referred toby common reference numerals. In this embodiment however, game device115′ generates the display data 68 for display on a device, such aspersonal computer 129, that is separate from communication device 117and is also capable of accessing game device 115′ via base station oraccess point 118 via network 119. While shown as a personal computer129, the other device can similarly be implemented via a home gameconsole, network coupled television or monitor, arcade game device orother device having a compatible display device for displaying displaydata 68 and further for communicating with network 119 on a wired orwireless basis.

In this embodiment, an initial exchange can take place between eithercommunication device 117 or personal computer 129 to access game device115′, to optionally authenticate the user, to set up the game andfurther to identify the communication device 117 as the source of gamingdata 66 and the destination for other gaming data and the personalcomputer 129 as the destination for display data 68.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an integratedcircuit in accordance with the present invention. In particular, an RFintegrated circuit (IC) 50 is shown that implements communication device10, such as communication device 117 in conjunction with actuator,microphone 60, keypad/keyboard 58, memory 54, speaker 62, display 56,camera 76, antenna interface 52 and wireline port 64. In operation, RFIC 50 includes a multi-mode transceiver/GPS receiver 73 having RF andbaseband modules for receiving GPS signals 43 and further a wirelesstelephony receiver for transmitting and receiving data RF real-time data26 and non-real-time data 24 via an antenna interface 52 and antenna.The antenna can be a fixed antenna, a single-input single-output (SISO)antenna, a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna, a diversity antennasystem, an antenna array or other antenna configuration that optionallyallows the beam shape, gain, polarization or other antenna parameters tobe controlled.

As previously discussed, the multimode transceiver/GPS receiver 73 canoperate in a telephony mode where the real-time data 26 and/ornon-real-time data 24 include telephony data communicated with atelephony network. Multimode transceiver/GPS receiver 73 can furtheroperate and in a gaming mode of operation where the real-time data 26and/or non-real-time data 24 include gaming data 66, display data 68 andother data. As will be discussed further multi-mode transceiver/GPSreceiver 73 for receiving and processing GPS signals in conjunction witheither the telephony mode of operation, the gaming mode of operation orfurther in a dedicated GPS mode of operation fur use of communicationdevice 10 in GPS positioning, navigation or other services.

In addition, RF IC 50 includes input/output module 71 that includes theappropriate interfaces, drivers, encoders and decoders for communicatingvia the wireline connection 28 via wireline port 64, an optional memoryinterface for communicating with off-chip memory 54, a codec forencoding voice signals from microphone 60 into digital voice signals, akeypad/keyboard interface for generating data from keypad/keyboard 58 inresponse to the actions of a user, a display driver for driving display56, such as by rendering a color video signal, text, graphics, or otherdisplay data, and an audio driver such as an audio amplifier for drivingspeaker 62 and one or more other interfaces, such as for interfacingwith the camera 76 or the other peripheral devices.

The actuator 48 can be a sensor such as a joy-stick or thumb wheel.Further the actuator 48 can include a photosensor that generates gamingdata data based on an optical signal from a video display such as avideo display associated in game console 115 or separate video displaythat operates based on display data 68. In this fashion, the opticalsignal can be used to generate data that represents position ororientation of the communication device 10. For instance, the opticsensor used on communication device 10 can generate optical feedback todetermine if the communication device is pointed at particular object onthe screen for games involving simulated guns, or objects whoseorientation is important to the game and/or for use of the communicationdevice 10 as a pointing device for selecting on-screen selections inconjunction with a user interface.

In operation, communication device 10 can generate gaming data, such asgaming data 66 in response to a user's interaction with microphone 60,actuator 48, keypad/keyboard 58, to provide game commands andpreferences, user selections, authentication data, control data or otherdata associated with a user's access to, set-up, and operation of agame.

Power management circuit (PMU) 95 includes one or more DC-DC converters,voltage regulators, current regulators or other power supplies forsupplying the RF IC 50 and optionally the other components ofcommunication device 10 and/or its peripheral devices with supplyvoltages and or currents (collectively power supply signals) that may berequired to power these devices. Power management circuit 95 can operatefrom one or more batteries, line power, an inductive power received froma remote device, a piezoelectric source that generates power in responseto motion of the integrated circuit and/or from other power sources, notshown. In particular, power management module can selectively supplypower supply signals of different voltages, currents or current limitsor with adjustable voltages, currents or current limits in response topower mode signals received from the RF IC 50. While shown as anoff-chip module, PMU 95 can alternatively implemented as an on-chipcircuit.

In addition, RF IC 50 and is coupled to a motion sensor 175 thatgenerates motion signals in response to motion of the mobilecommunication device. The GPS receiver of multi-mode transceiver/GPSreceiver 73 receives GPS signals and generates GPS position data basedon these GPS signals. Motion data generation module 55 generates motiondata based on the motion signals and/or the GPS position data that canbe included in gaming data 66 in the gaming mode of operation, that canbe used in support of the telephony and GPS modes of operation. Variousimplementations of motion data generation module including many optionalfunctions and features are presented in conjunction with FIGS. 12-18and/or FIGS. 36-38 or as otherwise described herein.

Motion sensor 175 can be implemented via one or more one, two orthree-axis accelerometers or one or more on-chip gyrating circuitsimplemented with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology toform a piezoelectric gyroscope, a vibrating wheel gyroscope, a tuningfork gyroscope, a hemispherical resonator gyroscope, or a rotating wheelgyroscope that responds to inertial forces, such as Coriolisacceleration or linear acceleration, in one, two or three axes togenerate motion data, such as a velocity vector in one, two or threedimensions and/or one, two or three orientations.

While motion sensor 175 is shown as a off-chip component and motion datageneration module 55 is shown as being implemented on-chip, either ofthese units can be implemented either on-chip or off-chip, depending onthe implementation.

In operation, the multi-mode transceiver/GPS receiver 73 generates anoutbound RF signal from outbound data and generates inbound data from aninbound RF signal. Further, processing module 225 is coupled to themotion sensor 175, when included, and the dual mode transceiver/GPSreceiver 73, and processes position information, generates the outbounddata that includes the position information or motion data, and receivesthe inbound data that optionally includes data from a remote accesspoint/base station to modify transmit and/or receive parameters inresponse to the position information that was transmitted.

As discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 4, the communication device10, places and receives wireless calls through a wireless telephonenetwork and/or a IP telephone system, via a base station, access pointor other communication portal, operates through command by theprocessing module 225 to either respond directly to motion data, such asmotion data 113, it generates from motion sensor 175 and/or the GPSreceiver to control the transmit and receive characteristics oftransceiver 73 or to respond to control data, such as control data 99received from an access point or other station to control the transmitand receive characteristics of transceiver 73.

For example, if the communication device 10 determines it is moving outof range, it can increase its power level, and steer its antenna beam inthe direction of the access point and/or modify other protocolparameters to compensate for a possible lowering of signal to noiseratio, modify its receiver sensitivity, etc. In addition, positioninformation generated by GPS receiver and/or motion sensor 175 can beincluded in the outbound RF signal sent to a telephone network tosupport a 911 call such as an E911 emergency call.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the RF IC 50 is a system on achip integrated circuit that includes at least one processing device.Such a processing device, for instance, processing module 225, may be amicroprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. Theassociated memory may be a single memory device or a plurality of memorydevices that are either on-chip or off-chip such as memory 54. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note thatwhen the RF IC 50 implements one or more of its functions via a statemachine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry,the associated memory storing the corresponding operational instructionsfor this circuitry is embedded with the circuitry comprising the statemachine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.Motion data generation module 55, multi-mode transceiver/GPS receiver73, and I/O module 71 can be implemented via hardware, or softwareand/or firmware operating in conjunction with processing module 225.

In further operation, the RF IC 50 executes operational instructionsthat implement one or more of the applications (real-time ornon-real-time) attributed to communication devices 10 and 117 asdiscussed above and in conjunction with FIGS. 1-8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 10 presents a communication device 30 that includesmany common elements of FIG. 9 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. RF IC 70 is similar to RF IC 50 and is capable of any of theapplications, functions and features attributed to RF IC 50. However, RFIC 70 includes a separate wireless transceiver 75 for transmitting andreceiving RF data 40 and RF voice signals 42, such as real-time data 26and/or non-real-time data 24 and further a separate GPS receiver 77 forreceiving GPS signals 43.

In operation, the RF IC 70 executes operational instructions thatimplement one or more of the applications (real-time or non-real-time)attributed to communication devices 10, 30 and 117 as discussed aboveand in conjunction with FIG. 1-9.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 11 presents a communication device 30′ that includesmany common elements of FIG. 10 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. RF IC 70′ is similar to RF IC 70 and is capable of any of theapplications, functions and features attributed to RF ICs 50 and 70 asdiscussed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-10. However, RF IC 70′ operates inconjunction with an off-chip GPS receiver 77′ for receiving GPS signals43.

In operation, the RF IC 70′ executes operational instructions thatimplement one or more of the applications (real-time or non-real-time)attributed to communication devices 10, 30, and 117 as discussed aboveand in conjunction with FIGS. 1-10.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a GPS receiver 210 used togenerate position in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, GPS receiver 210, such as GPS receiver77, 77′ or multi-mode receiver 73 generates position information 186that can be used by communication devices 10, 30, 30′ and/or 117 togenerate gaming data 66 and optionally to control its own operationand/or to send to remote devices such as access point 110, a basestation, telephone network or system, etc. for other purposes.

In particular, global positioning system (GPS) receiver 210 receives aGPS signal and that generates GPS position data 212 based on the GPSsignal. GPS receiver 210 generates GPS position data and GPS dataquality signal 216. In operation, GPS receiver 210 is coupled to recovera plurality of coarse/acquisition (C/A) signals and a plurality ofnavigation messages from received GPS signals 43. The GPS receiver 210utilizes the C/A signals and the navigations messages to determine theposition of the communication device.

In an embodiment of the present invention, motion data generation module55 is implemented via sample and hold module 180 and weighting module184. While sample and hold module 180 and weighting module 184 are shownas discrete modules, in an embodiment of the present invention, thesemodules can also be implemented in hardware, software or firmware usinga processor such as processing module 225 or other processing elements.

In particular, GPS receiver 210 generates one or more clock signals. Theclock signal(s) may also be used by the GPS receiver 210 to determinethe communication device's position. GPS receiver 210 determines a timedelay for at least some of the plurality of C/A signals in accordancewith the at least one clock signal. The GPS receiver calculates adistance to a corresponding plurality of satellites of the at least someof the plurality of C/A signals based on the time delays for the atleast some of the plurality of C/A signals. In other words, for each GPSsignal 43 received, which are received from different satellites, theGPS receiver 210 calculates a time delay with respect to each satellitethat the communication device is receiving a GPS RF signal from, or asubset thereof. For instance, the GPS receiver 210 identifies eachsatellite's signal by its distinct C/A code pattern, then measures thetime delay for each satellite. To do this, the receiver produces anidentical C/A sequence using the same seed number as the satellite. Bylining up the two sequences, the receiver can measure the delay andcalculate the distance to the satellite, called the pseudorange. Notethat overlapping pseudoranges may be represented as curves, which aremodified to yield the probable position.

GPS receiver 210 can calculate the position of the correspondingplurality of satellites based on corresponding navigation messages ofthe plurality of navigation messages. For example, the GPS receiver 210uses the orbital position data of the navigation message to calculatethe satellite's position. The GPS receiver 210 can determine thelocation of the RF IC 50, 70 or 70′ (and therefore communication device10, 30, 30′ or 117) based on the distance of the corresponding pluralityof satellites and the position of the corresponding plurality ofsatellites. For instance, by knowing the position and the distance of asatellite, the GPS receiver 210 can determine it's location to besomewhere on the surface of an imaginary sphere centered on thatsatellite and whose radius is the distance to it. When four satellitesare measured simultaneously, the intersection of the four imaginaryspheres reveals the location of the receiver. Often, these spheres willoverlap slightly instead of meeting at one point, so the receiver willyield a mathematically most-probable position that can be output as GPSposition data 212. In addition, GPS receiver 210 can determine theamount of uncertainty in the calculation that is output as the GPS dataquality 216. In the event that the GPS receiver 210 loses lock orotherwise receives insufficient signal from enough satellites togenerate a GPS of even minimal accuracy, a minimum value of the GPS dataquality 216 can be assigned. A transmit indicator 238 is generated whena wireless transceiver section such as a wireless telephone receiver,wireless LAN transceiver or other wire transceiver transmits bygenerating an outbound RF signal from an outbound symbol stream. Aminimum value of the GPS data quality 216 can also be assigned when thetransmit indicator 238 is asserted, and the when the transmit indicatoris deasserted, the calculated GPS data quality can be used as GPS dataquality 216.

It should be noted that the GPS data quality 216 can include a binaryvalue that has a first value that indicates the quality of the GPS datais greater than some minimum quality and a second value that indicatesthat either the transmit indicator 238 has been asserted or that thedata quality is otherwise below some minimum value due to poor signalstrength, loss of satellite reception, etc. Further, the GPS dataquality 216 can be a multi-valued signal, that includes separateindications of signal quality including multiple quality levels, with orwithout a separate transmission indication.

In operation, the GPS position data 212 is weighted with a firstweighting factor when the wireless transceiver section is generating theoutbound RF signal to produce first weighted GPS position data. Inaddition, the GPS position data is weighted with a second weightingfactor when the wireless telephone transceiver section is not generatingthe outbound RF signal to produce second weighted GPS position data,wherein the first weighting factor is less than the second weightingfactor. Position information 186 is generated based on at least one ofthe first and second weighted GPS position data.

In an embodiment, a sample and hold module 180 stores a prior value ofthe GPS position data 212. When the transmit indicator 238 is deassertedand the GPS data quality 216 indicates an acceptable level of accuracy,weight module 184 weights the GPS position data 212 by a weightingfactor that is one or substantially one and the output of the sample andhold module 180 is weighted by a weighting factor that is zero orsubstantially zero. In this case, the position information 186 is equalto or substantially the GPS position data 212. When the transmitindicator 238 is asserted as reflected in a minimum value of GPS dataquality 216 or other indication, the value of the prior GPS positiondata is held—frozen at the last value before the transmit indicator wasasserted or the last position that is known to include accurate positiondata. The weight module 184 weights the GPS position data by a weightingfactor that is zero or substantially zero and the output of the sampleand hold module 180 is weighted by a weighting factor that is one orsubstantially one. In this case, the position information 186 is equalto or substantially the prior GPS position data value held by the sampleand hold module 180.

FIG. 13 is a graphical representation of position information determinedin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Inparticular, an example of position information 186 is shown on a graph,in map/Cartesian coordinates, of position information that progressesfrom times t₁-t₈, corresponding to sample times or other discreteintervals used to generate and/or update position information 186. Whilethe position information 186 is shown in two-dimensions,three-dimensional position data can likewise be generated.

The first three times t₁-t₃, position data is derived from GPS positiondata such as GPS position data 212. In this example, transmit indicator238 is asserted for times t₄-t₅. At time t₄, the GPS position data maybe unreliable or inaccurate. In response to the assertion of thetransmit indicator 238, the sample and hold module 180 holds the GPSposition data 212 from time t₃ and the weighting module adjusts theweighting, so that the position information 186 for time t₄, and for theremaining duration of the time that transmit indicator 238 is assertedt₅ is equal to the prior GPS position data at time t₃. In this example,at time t₆, the GPS data quality 216 reflects unacceptable data quality,for instance due to the time required for the GPS receiver 210 torecover from the dropout caused by transmission during the time periodt₄-t₅. In this case, the sample and hold module 180 continues to holdsthe GPS position data 212 from time t₃ and the weighting module retainsthe weightings from time t₄-t₅ and the position information 186 at timet₆ is also equal to the prior GPS position data at time t₃. At time t₇and t₈, when the transmit indicator 238 is deasserted, and the GPSposition data again becomes reliable, the GPS position data is used togenerate the position information.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of a GPS receiver 210 used togenerate position in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, GPS receiver 210, such as GPS receiver77, 77′ or multi-mode receiver 73 generates position information 186that can be used by communication devices 10, 30, 30′ and/or 117 togenerate gaming data 66, to control its own operation or to otherwisesend to remote devices such as access point 110, a base station,telephone network or system, etc. In particular, GPS velocity data isgenerated by difference module 214 based on the difference betweensuccessive samples of GPS position data 212. This GPS velocity data isheld by sample and hold module 181 and used to estimate future positionsbased on the last know position and the last know velocity in the caseof a dropout caused by either the assertion of the transmit indicator238 or an otherwise unacceptable GPS data quality 216. In particular, incase of a dropout, prior GPS position data 216 is held by sample andhold module 180 and used as the initial condition for integrator 190.Prior GPS velocity data held by sample and hold module 181 is integratedduring a dropout to form estimated position data that is weighted with a1 during a dropout, while the GPS position data is weighted zero to formposition information 192. After a dropout ceases and accurate GPS data212 returns, the weighting module weights the GPS position data 212 witha 1 and the estimated position data with a zero to form positioninformation 192.

In an embodiment of the present invention, motion data generation module55 is implemented via sample and hold modules 180 and 181, differencemodule 214, integrator 190 and weighting module 184 that can beimplemented in hardware, software or firmware using a processor such asprocessing module 225 or other processing elements.

FIG. 15 is a graphical representation of position information determinedin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Inparticular, an example of position information 192 is shown on a graph,in map/Cartesian coordinates, of position information that progressesfrom times t₁-t₈, corresponding to sample times or other discreteintervals used to generate and/or update position information 192. Whilethe position information 192 is shown in two-dimensions,three-dimensional position data can likewise be generated.

The first three times, position data is derived from GPS position datasuch as GPS position data 212. In this example, transmit indicator 238is asserted for times t₄-t₅. At time t₄, the GPS position data may beunreliable or inaccurate. In response to the assertion of the transmitindicator 238, the sample and hold module 180 holds the GPS positiondata 212 from time t₃ and the sample and hold 181 holds the velocity att₃ to form an estimated velocity vector. The integrator 190 generatesestimated position data at times t₄-t₆ based on the position andvelocity at time at time t₃. The weighting module adjusts the weightingfor time t₄, and for the remaining duration of the time that transmitindicator 238 is asserted and the dropout condition further persists, sothat the estimated position data is weighted and the GPS position data212 is deweighted in determining position information 192. At time t₇and t₈, when the transmit indicator 238 is deasserted and the GPSposition data again becomes reliable, the GPS position data 212 is usedto generate the position information.

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a gyrating circuit 200 and GPSreceiver 210 used to generate position and velocity information inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, gyrating circuit 200, such as motion sensor 175 and GPSreceiver 210, such as GPS receiver 77, 77′ or multi-mode receiver 73cooperate to generate position information 230 and velocity information232 that can be used by communication devices 10, 30, 30′ and/or 117 togenerate gaming data 66, to control its own operation or otherwise tosend to remote devices such as access point 110, a base station,telephone network or system, etc.

In particular, an embodiment of motion data generation module 55 isshown where GPS receiver 210 generates GPS position data and GPS dataquality signal 216 that includes or is otherwise based on transmitindicator 238 as previously discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 12-15.At the same time, gyrating circuit 200 generates a motion vector 202that is integrated by integrator 204 based on an initial condition 208that is either its own prior estimated position data 206 or the priorGPS position data 212. By adding the motion vector 202 to the priorposition, new estimated position data 206 can be generated.

In this embodiment, the GPS data quality 216 is compared with a value,such as quality threshold 218 that corresponds to a level of qualitythat is roughly on par with accuracy of position information that can beestimated using the gyrator circuit 200. If the GPS data quality 216compares favorably to the quality threshold, the position information230 is selected by multiplexer 222 as the GPS position data 212 inresponse to the selection signal 215 from comparator 217. When the GPSdata quality 216 compares unfavorably to the quality threshold 218, suchas during a dropout condition and/or a time when transmit indicator 238is asserted, the selection signal 215 from comparator 217 selects theposition information 230 from the estimated position data 206. Theestimated position data 206 is initially generated from the prior (good)value of the GPS position data 212 (delayed by delay 221) and thecurrent motion vector 202. If the dropout condition persists, theintegrator 204 generates new estimated position data 206 based on thecurrent motion vector 202 and the prior estimated position 206, asselected by multiplexer 220 in response to selection signal 215. Whilean integrator 204 is shown in this configuration, low-corner frequencylow-pass filters, integrators with additional filtration and/or otherfilter configurations could likewise be employed. For instance,estimated position data 206 can be generated based on a filtereddifference between current motion vector values and either past GPSposition data 212 or past estimated position data 206, to provide moreaccurate estimates, to reject noise and/or to otherwise smooth theestimated position data 206.

In a similar fashion, velocity information 232 is generated either fromthe gyrating circuit 200 or from the GPS receiver 210. In particular,when the GPS data quality 216 compares favorably to quality threshold218, velocity information 232 is selected from a difference module 214that generates a velocity from the difference between successive valuesof the GPS position data 212. If however, the GPS data quality 216compares unfavorably to the quality threshold 218, the velocityinformation 232 is selected instead from the motion vector 202.

While shown in a schematic block diagram as separate modules, theintegrator 204, difference module 214, comparator 217, and multiplexers220, 222, and 224 can likewise be implemented as part of processingmodule 225 either in hardware, firmware or software.

FIG. 17 is a graphical representation of position information determinedin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Inparticular, position information 230 is shown that shows a graph, inmap/Cartesian coordinates, of position information that progresses fromtimes t₁-t₈, corresponding to sample times or other discrete intervalsused to generate and/or update position information 230. While theposition information 230 is shown in two-dimensions, three-dimensionalposition data can likewise be generated.

The first three times, position data is derived from GPS position datasuch as GPS position data 212. The velocity information, as shown forthis interval, is GPS velocity data that is derived by the differencebetween the GPS position data. In this example, a GPS signal dropoutcovers times t₄-t₆ due to poor signal quality, the assertion of transmitindicator 238, etc. At time t₄, the GPS position data may be unreliableor inaccurate, so the new position is estimated position data that isgenerated from the prior GPS position data at time t₃, and updated bythe current motion vector, such as motion vector 202 from the gyratingcircuit. At times t₅ and t₆, the GPS position data still may beunreliable or inaccurate, so the new position is estimated position datathat is generated from the prior GPS position data (in this case priorestimated positions), updated by the current motion vector. At time t₇and t₈, when the GPS position data again becomes reliable, the GPSposition data is used to generate the position information.

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of a gyrating circuit 200 and GPSreceiver 210 used to generate position and velocity information inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Inparticular, an embodiment of motion data generation module 55 is shownthat includes similar elements from FIG. 17 that are referred to bycommon reference numerals. In this embodiment however, data from thegyrating circuit 200 and GPS receiver 210 are blended, based on the GPSdata quality 216. In particular, weighting modules 240, 242, and 244 areprovided that form the position information 230, the velocityinformation 232 and the initial condition 208 based on a weightedaverage of the GPS and gyrator produced values, wherein the weightingcoefficients are dynamically chosen based on the GPS data quality 216.

For instance, for the value of the GPS data quality 216 corresponding tothe highest accuracy GPS data and the transmit indicator 238 isdeasserted, the weighting coefficients can be chosen to maximize theweight of the GPS position 212, and to minimize the weight of theestimated position data 206 in calculating the initial condition 208 andthe position information 230 and further to maximize the weight of theGPS velocity data 224, and to minimize the weight of the motion vector202 in calculating the velocity information 232. Further, for the valueof the GPS data quality corresponding to the lowest accuracy GPS data(including a dropout condition, and/or a time when transmit indicator238 is asserted), the weighting coefficients can be chosen to minimizethe weight of the GPS position 212, and to maximize the weight of theestimated position data 206 in calculating the initial condition 208 andthe position information 230 and further to minimize the weight of theGPS velocity data 224, and to maximize the weight of the motion vector202 in calculating the velocity information 232. Also, for intermediatevalues of the GPS data quality 216, intermediate weighting values couldbe used that blend the GPS data with the data derived from the gyratingcircuit to generate more robust estimates of these values.

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of RF transceiver135 and GPS receiver 187 in accordance with the present invention. TheRF transceiver 135, such as transceiver 75 includes an RF transmitter139, and an RF receiver 137. The RF receiver 137 includes a RF front end140, a down conversion module 142 and a receiver processing module 144.The RF transmitter 139 includes a transmitter processing module 146, anup conversion module 148, and a radio transmitter front-end 150.

As shown, the receiver and transmitter are each coupled to an antennathrough an off-chip antenna interface 171 and a diplexer (duplexer) 177,that couples the transmit signal 155 to the antenna to produce outboundRF signal 170 and couples inbound signal 152 to produce received signal153. Alternatively, a transmit/receive switch can be used in place ofdiplexer 177. While a single antenna is represented, the receiver andtransmitter may share a multiple antenna structure that includes two ormore antennas. In another embodiment, the receiver and transmitter mayshare a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna structure,diversity antenna structure, phased array or other controllable antennastructure that includes a plurality of antennas. Each of these antennasmay be fixed, programmable, and antenna array or other antennaconfiguration. Also, the antenna structure of the wireless transceivermay depend on the particular standard(s) to which the wirelesstransceiver is compliant and the applications thereof.

In operation, the transmitter receives outbound data 162 that includesnon-realtime data or real-time data including gaming data in a gamingmode of operation, from a host device, such as communication device 10or other source via the transmitter processing module 146. Thetransmitter processing module 146 processes the outbound data 162 inaccordance with a particular wireless communication standard that caninclude a cellular data or voice protocol, a WLAN protocol, piconetprotocol or other wireless protocol such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth,RFID, GSM, CDMA, et cetera) to produce baseband or low intermediatefrequency (IF) transmit (TX) signals 164 that includes an outboundsymbol stream that contains outbound data 162. The baseband or low IF TXsignals 164 may be digital baseband signals (e.g., have a zero IF) ordigital low IF signals, where the low IF typically will be in afrequency range of one hundred kilohertz to a few megahertz. Note thatthe processing performed by the transmitter processing module 146 caninclude, but is not limited to, scrambling, encoding, puncturing,mapping, modulation, and/or digital baseband to IF conversion.

The up conversion module 148 includes a digital-to-analog conversion(DAC) module, a filtering and/or gain module, and a mixing section. TheDAC module converts the baseband or low IF TX signals 164 from thedigital domain to the analog domain. The filtering and/or gain modulefilters and/or adjusts the gain of the analog signals prior to providingit to the mixing section. The mixing section converts the analogbaseband or low IF signals into up-converted signals 166 based on atransmitter local oscillation 168.

The radio transmitter front end 150 includes a power amplifier and mayalso include a transmit filter module. The power amplifier amplifies theup-converted signals 166 to produce outbound RF signals 170, which maybe filtered by the transmitter filter module, if included. The antennastructure transmits the outbound RF signals 170 to a targeted devicesuch as a RF tag, base station, an access point and/or another wirelesscommunication device via an antenna interface 171 coupled to an antennathat provides impedance matching and optional bandpass filtration.

The receiver receives inbound RF signals 152, that may include displaydata, other gaming data of other real-time or non-real-time data, viathe antenna and off-chip antenna interface 171 that operates to processthe inbound RF signal 152 into received signal 153 for the receiverfront-end 140. In general, antenna interface 171 provides impedancematching of antenna to the RF front-end 140, optional bandpassfiltration of the inbound RF signal 152 and optionally controls theconfiguration of the antenna in response to one or more control signals141 generated by processing module 225.

The down conversion module 142 includes a mixing section, an analog todigital conversion (ADC) module, and may also include a filtering and/orgain module. The mixing section converts the desired RF signal 154 intoa down converted signal 156 that is based on a receiver localoscillation 158, such as an analog baseband or low IF signal. The ADCmodule converts the analog baseband or low IF signal into a digitalbaseband or low IF signal. The filtering and/or gain module high passand/or low pass filters the digital baseband or low IF signal to producea baseband or low IF signal 156 that includes a inbound symbol stream.Note that the ordering of the ADC module and filtering and/or gainmodule may be switched, such that the filtering and/or gain module is ananalog module.

The receiver processing module 144 processes the baseband or low IFsignal 156 in accordance with a particular wireless communicationstandard that can include a cellular data or voice protocol, a WLANprotocol, piconet protocol or other wireless protocol such as IEEE802.11, Bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA, et cetera) to produce inbound data160 that can include non-realtime data, realtime data an control data.The processing performed by the receiver processing module 144 caninclude, but is not limited to, digital intermediate frequency tobaseband conversion, demodulation, demapping, depuncturing, decoding,and/or descrambling.

GPS receiver 187, such as GPS receiver 77, includes an RF front-end 140′and down conversion module 142′ that operates in a similar fashion tothe modules described in conjunction with RF receiver 137, however, toreceive and convert GPS RF signals 143 into a plurality of downconverted GPS signals 159. Note that the GPS RF signals 143 may be oneor more of: an L1 band at 1575.42 MHz, which includes a mix ofnavigation messages, coarse-acquisition (C/A) codes, and/or encryptionprecision P(Y) codes; an L2 band at 1227.60 MHz, which includes P(Y)codes and may also include an L2C code; and/or an L5 band at 1176.45MHz. Further note that the GPS RF signals 143 can include an RF signalfrom a plurality of satellites (e.g., up to 20 different GPS satellitesRF signals may be received). GPS processing module 144′ operates on thedown converted signal 159 to generate GPS data 163, such as GPS positiondata 212 and GPS data quality signal 216 and/or other GPS data.

Processing module 225 includes circuitry, software and/or firmware thatgenerates transmit indicator 238 that is either used internally forsupplied to GPS processing module 144′, and motion data, such as motiondata 113, position information 186, 192, 230, and/or velocityinformation 232, from motion parameters 161, such as motion vector 202and GPS data 163, such as GPS position data 212. As previouslydescribed, processing module 225 optionally includes this motion data inoutbound data 162 to be transmitted to a remote station such as accesspoint 110, base station, telephone network, etc. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, the processing module 225 includes circuitry asdescribed in conjunction with previous embodiments and/or otherhardware, software or firmware.

In addition processing module 225 optionally includes circuitry,software and/or firmware that generates control signals 141 from eitherthe motion data or control data, such as control data 115, received ininbound data 160 from a remote station such as access point 110. Inoperation, processing module 225 generates control signals 141 to modifythe transmit and/or receiver parameters of the RF transceiver 125 suchas the protocol parameters or protocols used by receiver processingmodule 144 and transmitter processing module 146, antenna configurationsused by antenna interface 171 to set the beam pattern, gain,polarization or other antenna configuration of the antenna, transmitpower levels used by radio transmitter front-end 150 and receiverparameters, such as receiver sensitivity used by RF front-ends 140 and140′ of the RF receiver 137 and the GPS receiver 187.

In an embodiment of the present invention, processing module 225includes a look-up table, software algorithm, or circuitry thatgenerates the desired control signals 141 based on the particular motiondata or control data. In this fashion, the processing module 225 canoperate adjust a receive parameter based on the receive control signal,such as a receiver sensitivity, a protocol selection, a data rate, apacket length, a data payload length, a coding parameter, a contentionperiod, and/or a back-off parameter. Further, the processing module canoperate to modify an in-air beamforming phase, a diversity antennaselection, an antenna gain, a polarization antenna selection, amulti-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna structure, and/or a single-inputsingle-output (SISO) antenna structure of the antenna 171. In addition,the processing module 225 can operate to adjust a transmit parametersuch as a transmit power, a protocol selection, a data rate, a packetlength, a data payload length, a coding parameter, a contention period,and a back-off parameter.

In addition, processing module 225 can optionally access a look-uptable, algorithm, database or other data structure that includes a listor data sufficient to define one or more restricted areas where eitherthe operation of the communication device 10, 30, 30′, or 117 isprohibited or the communication device 10, 30, 30′, 117 or 125 is notpermitted to transmit. The restricted areas could correspond tohospitals, airplanes in the air, security areas or other restrictedareas. When the position information corresponds to one of theserestricted areas, the RF transceiver 137 or just the RF transmitter 127could be disabled by processing module 225 via one or more control lines141 in accordance with the corresponding restriction in place for thisparticular restricted area.

In an embodiment of the present invention, receiver processing module144, GPS processing module 144′ and transmitter processing module 146can be implemented via use of a microprocessor, micro-controller,digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operationalinstructions. The associated memory may be a single memory device or aplurality of memory devices that are either on-chip or off-chip such asmemory 54. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random accessmemory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamicmemory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital information.Note that when the these processing devices implement one or more oftheir functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the associated memory storing thecorresponding operational instructions for this circuitry is embeddedwith the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry,digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

While the processing module 144, GPS processing module 144′, transmitterprocessing module 146, and processing module 225 are shown separately,it should be understood that these elements could be implementedseparately, together through the operation of one or more sharedprocessing devices or in combination of separate and shared processing.

FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of RF transceiver135′ and with multi-mode receiver 137′ in accordance with the presentinvention. In particular, RF transceiver 135′ includes many similarelements of RF transceiver 135 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. However, RF receiver 137′ operates as a multi-ode device,combining the functionality of RF receiver 137 and GPS receiver 187 toproduce inbound data/GPS data 160″ as either inbound data 160 (in aeither telephony mode or gaming mode) or GPS data 163 (in eithertelephony mode, gaming mode or GPS mode). In this fashion, RF front end140″ and down conversion module 142″ can be configured based one of thecontrol signals 141 to operate as either RF front end 140 and downconversion module 142 to receive and down convert inbound RF signal 153or as RF front end 140′ and down conversion module 142′ to receive andconvert inbound GPS signal 143 as described in conjunction with FIG. 10.

In addition receiver processing module 144″ further includes thefunctionality of receiver processing module 144 and additional GPSprocessing functionality of GPS processing module 144′ to similarlyoperate based on the selected mode of operation.

FIG. 21 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. RF IC 330, such as RF IC 50 or 70, includes a gyrator die 314with a gyrating circuit such as motion sensor 175 and an RF system on achip (SoC) die 312 that includes the remaining elements of RF IC 50, 70or 70′, a substrate 306, and bonding pads 318. This figure is not drawnto scale, rather it is meant to be a pictorial representation thatillustrates the juxtaposition of the RF SoC die 312, gyrator die 314 andthe substrate 306. RF SoC die 312 and gyrator die are coupled to oneanother and to respective ones of the bonding pads 318 using bondingwires, bonding pads and/or by other connections.

FIG. 22 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. RF IC 332 is similar to the configuration described inconjunction with FIG. 21 is presented with similar elements referred toby common reference numerals. In particular, alternate stackedconfiguration is shown that stacks gyrator die 314 on top of RF SoC die312. In this configuration, RF SoC die 312 and gyrator die 314 can becoupled to one another using bonding wires, bonding pads, conductivevias and/or by other connections. This figure is also not drawn toscale.

FIG. 23 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. RF IC 334 is similar to the configuration described inconjunction with FIGS. 21 and 22 with similar elements referred to bycommon reference numerals. In this particular configuration, motionsensor 175 is included on RF SoC die 316 that includes the remainingcomponents or RF IC 50, 70 or 70′. This figure is also not drawn toscale.

FIG. 24 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with the present invention. RF IC 325,such as RF IC 50, 70 or 70′, includes a system on a chip (SoC) die 300,a memory die 302 a substrate 306, bonding pads 308 and gyrator 304, suchas motion sensor 175. This figure is not drawn to scale. In particular,the RF IC 325 is integrated in a package with a top and a bottom havinga plurality of bonding pads 308 to connect the RF IC 325 to a circuitboard, and wherein the on-chip gyrator 304 is integrated along thebottom of the package. In an embodiment of the present invention, die302 includes an on-chip memory and die 300 includes the processingmodule 225 and the remaining elements of RF IC 50, 70 or 70′. These diesare stacked and die bonding is employed to connect these two circuitsand minimize the number of bonding pads, (balls) out to the package.Both SoC die 300 and memory die 302 are coupled to respective ones ofthe bonding pads 308 via bonding wires or other connections.

Gyrator 304 is coupled to the SoC die 300, and/or the memory die 302 viaconductive vias, bonding wires, bonding pads or by other connections.The positioning of the Gyrator on the bottom of the package in a flipchip configuration allows good heat dissipation of the gyrator 304 to acircuit board when the RF integrated circuit is installed.

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with the present invention. As shown, thebonding pads (balls) 308 are arrayed in an area of the bottom of theintegrated circuit with an open center portion 310 and wherein theon-chip gyrator 304 is integrated in the open center portion. While aparticular pattern and number of bonding pads 308 are shown, a greateror lesser number of bonding pads can likewise be employed withalternative configurations within the broad scope of the presentinvention.

While RF ICs 325, 330, 332 and 334 provide several possibleimplementations of RF ICs in accordance with the present invention,other circuits including other integrated circuit packages can beimplemented including other stacked, in-line, surface mount and flipchip configurations.

FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram of an overhead view of anembodiment of a gaming system that includes a game console and a gamingobject. A video display 598 is shown that can be coupled to game console600, such as game device 115 or 115′, to display video generated by gameconsole 600 in conjunction with the set-up and playing of the game andto provide other user interface functions of game console 600. It shouldalso be noted that game console 600 can include its own integrated videodisplay that displays, either directly or via projection, video contentin association with any of the functions described in conjunction withvideo display 598.

The gaming system has an associated physical area in which the gameconsole and the gaming object are located. The physical area may be aroom, portion of a room, and/or any other space where the gaming objectand game console are proximally co-located (e.g., airport terminal, at agaming center, on an airplane, etc.). In the example shown the physicalarea includes desk 592, chair 594 and couch 596.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the gaming object 610 can beimplemented using communication device 117 operating in the gaming modeof operation, or via another wireless game controller and/or any objectused or worn by the player to facilitate play of a video game. Forexample, the gaming object 610 can, in the context of a game, simulatethe actions of sword, a gun, a helmet, a vest, a hat, shoes, socks,pants, shorts, gloves, a sporting good, such as a bat, racquet, paddleof other object. In this system, the game console 600 determines thepositioning of the gaming object 610 within the physical area based onmotion data transmitted to the game console 600, such as positioninformation, velocity information of other motion data included ingaming data 66. Once the gaming object 610's position is determined, thegame console 600 tracks the motion of the gaming object to facilitatevideo game play. In this embodiment, the game console may determine thepositioning of the gaming object 610 within a positioning tolerance(e.g., within a meter) at a positioning update rate (e.g., once everysecond or once every few seconds) and tracks the motion within a motiontracking tolerance (e.g., within a few millimeters) at a motion trackingupdate rate (e.g., once every 10-100 milliseconds) based on gaming datagenerated in response to the actions of a user in the form of positiondata. The gaming object 610 can include a joystick, touch pad, wheel,one or more buttons and/or other user interface devices that generatesother gaming data 66 that includes other user data in response to theactions of a user that is further transmitted to the game console 600 asgaming data 66.

In operation, the gaming object 610 and gaming console 600 communicategaming data 66 via wireless transceivers such as the wireless telephonytransceivers discussed in conjunction with FIG. 4.

FIG. 27 is a schematic block diagram of a side view of an embodiment ofa gaming system of FIG. 1. In particular, a user 606 is representedschematically as holding a particular gaming object 610 in his or herhand or hands. Data 599, such as gaming data 66, is generated by thegaming object 610 and communicated via a wireless communication pathwith the game console 600. The data 599 can include user selections,commands, motion data indicating the position, orientation, and/ormotion of the gaming object 610 or other user data that is generatedbased on the actions of the user in conjunction with the playing, andset-up of a particular game, and/or the user's other interactions withthe game console 600.

Game console 600 includes an interface module 632 for coupling to thegaming object 610. In particular, interface module 632 includes atransceiver 630, such as a wireless telephony transceiver, for receivingdata 599, such as gaming data 66, transmitted from gaming object 610 andfor optionally transmitting other data 599, such as display data 68 orother data back to gaming object 610. Game console 600 further includesa memory 624 and processor 622 that are coupled to interface module 632via a bus 625.

Network interface 627 provides a coupling to a network, such as network119 as discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 4-8. In particular, networkinterface itself can be used to transceive data such as gaming data 66and/or display data 68 with the gaming object 610 or a remote displaydevice, and further to communicate authentication data, download gameapplications, run remote game applications, etc.

In operation, processor 622 executes one or more routines such as anoperating system, utilities, and one or more applications such as videogame applications or other gaming applications that operate based ondata 599 received from gaming object 610, that generate data 599 fortransmission to gaming object 610, and that produce video informationsuch as display data 68. In addition, such video information can beconverted to display signal via driver 626, such as a signal generationmodule or other video processor for use by an integrated display deviceor a display device coupled to game console 600 via an optional displayport, such as a video connector, component video port, S-videoconnector, parallel or serial video port, HDMI port or other video port.

Processor 622 can include a dedicated or shared processing device. Sucha processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operationalinstructions. The memory 624 can be a single memory device or aplurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be a read-onlymemory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory,static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device thatstores digital information. Note that when the processor 622 implementsone or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry,digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory storing thecorresponding operational instructions is embedded with the circuitrycomprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry. While a particular bus architecture is shown,alternative bus architectures including architectures having two or morebuses or direct connectivity between the various modules of game console600, can likewise be employed within the broad scope of the presentinvention.

FIG. 28 is a schematic block diagram of an overhead view of anotherembodiment of a gaming system that includes a game console, a pluralityof players and a plurality of gaming objects. In this instance,interface module 632 of game console 600 communicates data 599 andsimilar data 599′, such as gaming data 66 and display data 68, with bothgaming object 610 and gaming object 610′. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, game console 600 operates on a separate frequency foreach device, however, other multiple access techniques can likewise beemployed.

FIG. 29 is a schematic block diagram of a side view of anotherembodiment of a gaming system that includes remote motion sensingdevices that can be implemented in conjunction with a singleuser/player. In this embodiment, the gaming object 611 communicates withremote motion sensing devices 640 that can be embodied as a helmet, ashirt, pants, gloves, and socks, that incorporated in a wearablehousing, that otherwise can be attached a user's body, or that otherwisecan be coupled to track the motion of a portion of the user's body. Eachof the remote motion sensing devices 640 generates motion signals thatare sent to gaming object 610 for use in the generation of motion datadata via, for instance, a motion data generation module 55. In thisembodiment, the positioning of the remote motion sensing devices 640 canbe determined within a positioning tolerance (e.g., within a meter) at apositioning update rate (e.g., once every second or once every fewseconds) with the motion tracked within a motion tracking tolerance(e.g., within a few millimeters) at a motion tracking update rate (e.g.,once every 10-100 milliseconds) within a position and motion trackingarea that is range of a separate transceiver, such as an RFIDtransceiver, incorporated in gaming object 610.

In one mode of operation, the gaming object 610 sends one or more RFsignals on a continuous basis and reads the motion signals generated byeach of the remote motion sensing devices 640 periodically (e.g., onceevery 10-100 milliseconds) to update the positioning of remote motionsensing devices 640. In another mode of operation, the gaming object 610sends one or more RF signals periodically (e.g., once every 10-100milliseconds) and reads the motion signals generated by each of theremote motion sensing devices 640 only when required to update thepositioning of the remote motion sensing devices 640.

FIGS. 30-32 are diagrams of an embodiment of a coordinate system of alocalized physical area that may be used for a gaming system. In thesefigures an xyz origin is selected to be somewhere in the localizedphysical area and each point being tracked and/or used for positioningon the player and/or on the gaming object 610 is determined based on itsCartesian coordinates (e.g., x1, y1, z1). As the player and/or gamingobject moves, the new position of the tracking and/or positioning pointsare determined in Cartesian coordinates with respect to the origin.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram representation of a gaming system inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention that includescommunication device 117 and at least one remote motion sensing device526, such as remote motion sensing devices 640. Remote motion sensingdevice 526 includes a motion sensor 520 for generating motion signals522 in response to the motion of a user, such as user 606. Motion sensor520 can include an on-chip gyrator or accelerometer or other position ormotion sensing device along with other driver circuitry for generatingmotion signals 522 based on the actions of the user 606.

Transceiver 524 sends the motion signals to communication device 117. Inan embodiment of the present invention, transceiver 524 can beimplemented via a RFID tag that is coupled to receive an RF signal 528initiated by communication device, such as a 60 GHz RF signal or otherRF signal. In a similar fashion to a passive RFID tag, transceiver 524converts energy from the RF signal 528 into a power signal for poweringthe transceiver 524 or all or some portion of the remote motion sensingdevice 526. By the remote motion sensing device 526 deriving power, inwhole or in part, based on RF signal 528, the remote motion sensingdevice 526 can optionally be portable, small and light. Transceiver 524conveys the motion signals 522 back to the communication device 117 bybackscattering the RF signal 528 based on the motion signals 522.

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 34 presents a communication device 10′, such ascommunication device 117, that includes many common elements of FIGS.9-11 that are referred to by common reference numerals. RF IC 50′ issimilar to RF IC 50 and is capable of any of the applications, functionsand features attributed to RF ICs 50 and 70 as discussed in conjunctionwith FIGS. 1-10. However, RF IC 70′ includes a receiver, such as an RFIDreader or other receiver or transceiver 79 that receives motion signals,such as motion signals 522 carried by RF signal 528 from at least oneremote motion sensing device 526. In an embodiment of the presentinvention the antenna and antenna interface 74′ can include an off-chipnear field coil, however, an on-chip near-field coil can likewise beimplemented.

In operation, motion data generation module 55 generates motion databased on the motion signals 522, and optionally based further on GPSposition data generated by multi-mode transceiver/GPS receiver 73. Forinstance, motion data generation module 55 can generate motion data thatis based on one or more motion vectors that are based on the motionsignals and further based on a reference position based on the GPSposition data.

This motion data can be transmitted to a game device, such as gamedevice 115, 115′ or game console 600 when communication device 10′ is ina gaming mode of operation. It should be noted that the transmittedmotion data can further include motion data generated by motion datageneration module 55 that represents the motion of communication device10′, based on GPS position data and/or data from motion sensor 175.

While the transceiver 79 has been incorporated in RF IC 50 to form thedesign of RF IC 50′, RF ICs 70 and 70′ can be modified in a similarfashion to include transceiver 79.

FIG. 35 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RFID readerand an RFID tag. In particular, RFID reader 705 represents a particularimplementation of transceiver 79 of communication device 117. Inaddition, RFID tag 735 represents a particular implementation oftransceiver 526 of remote motion sensing device 526. As shown, RFIDreader 705 includes a protocol processing module 40, an encoding module542, an RF front-end 546, a digitization module 548, a predecodingmodule 550 and a decoding module 552, all of which together formcomponents of the RFID reader 705. RFID 705 optionally includes adigital-to-analog converter (DAC) 544.

The protocol processing module 540 is operably coupled to prepare datafor encoding in accordance with a particular RFID standardized protocol.In an exemplary embodiment, the protocol processing module 540 isprogrammed with multiple RFID standardized protocols to enable the RFIDreader 705 to communicate with any RFID tag, regardless of theparticular protocol associated with the tag. In this embodiment, theprotocol processing module 540 operates to program filters and othercomponents of the encoding module 542, decoding module 552, pre-decodingmodule 550 and RF front end 546 in accordance with the particular RFIDstandardized protocol of the tag(s) currently communicating with theRFID reader 705. However, if the remote motion sensing devices 526 eachoperate in accordance with a single protocol, and the RFID reader is notused by communication device 117 for other purposes, such as conditionalaccess, payment transaction, etc, this flexibility can be omitted.

In operation, once the particular RFID standardized protocol has beenselected for communication with one or more RFID tags, such as RFID tag735, the protocol processing module 540 generates and provides digitaldata to be communicated to the RFID tag 735 to the encoding module 542for encoding in accordance with the selected RFID standardized protocol.This digital data can include commands to power up the RFID tag 735, toread motion data or other commands or data used by the RFID tag inassociation with its operation. By way of example, but not limitation,the RFID protocols may include one or more line encoding schemes, suchas Manchester encoding, FM0 encoding, FM1 encoding, etc. Thereafter, inthe embodiment shown, the digitally encoded data is provided to thedigital-to-analog converter 544 which converts the digitally encodeddata into an analog signal. The RF front-end 546 modulates the analogsignal to produce an RF signal at a particular carrier frequency that istransmitted via antenna 560 to one or more RFID tags, such as RF ID rag735. The antenna 560 can include a near-field coil that is eitherimplemented on RFIC 50′ or is located off-chip.

The RF front-end 546 further includes transmit blocking capabilitiessuch that the energy of the transmitted RF signal does not substantiallyinterfere with the receiving of a back-scattered or other RF signalreceived from one or more RFID tags via the antenna 560. Upon receivingan RF signal from one or more RFID tags, the RF front-end 546 convertsthe received RF signal into a baseband signal. The digitization module548, which may be a limiting module or an analog-to-digital converter,converts the received baseband signal into a digital signal. Thepredecoding module 550 converts the digital signal into an encodedsignal in accordance with the particular RFID protocol being utilized.The encoded data is provided to the decoding module 552, whichrecaptures data, such as motion signals 522 therefrom in accordance withthe particular encoding scheme of the selected RFID protocol. Theprotocol processing module 540 processes the recovered data to identifythe object(s) associated with the RFID tag(s) and/or provides therecovered data to the processor 225.

The processing module 540 may be a single processing device or aplurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be amicroprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/oroperational instructions. The processing module may have an associatedmemory element, which may be a single memory device, a plurality ofmemory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of the processing module. Sucha memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory,volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory,flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digitalinformation. Note that when the processing module 540 implements one ormore of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory element storing thecorresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, orexternal to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

RFID tag 735 that includes a power generating circuit 740, anoscillation module 744, a processing module 746, an oscillationcalibration module 748, a comparator 750, an envelope detection module752, a capacitor C1, and a transistor T1. The oscillation module 744,the processing module 746, the oscillation calibration module 748, thecomparator 750, and the envelope detection module 752 may be a singleprocessing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such aprocessing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of thecircuitry and/or operational instructions. One or more of the modules744, 746, 748, 750, 752 may have an associated memory element, which maybe a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/orembedded circuitry of the module. Such a memory device may be aread-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatilememory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory,and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that when themodules 744, 746, 748, 750, 752 implement one or more of their functionsvia a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory element storing the corresponding operationalinstructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitrycomprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry.

In operation, the power generating circuit 740 generates a supplyvoltage (V_(DD)) from a radio frequency (RF) signal that is received viaantenna 754. The power generating circuit 740 stores the supply voltageV_(DD) in capacitor C1 and provides it to modules 744, 746, 748, 750,752.

When the supply voltage V_(DD) is present, the envelope detection module752 determines an envelope of the RF signal, which includes a DCcomponent corresponding to the supply voltage V_(DD). In one embodiment,the RF signal is an amplitude modulation signal, where the envelope ofthe RF signal includes transmitted data. The envelope detection module752 provides an envelope signal to the comparator 750. The comparator750 compares the envelope signal with a threshold to produce a stream ofrecovered data.

The oscillation module 744, which may be a ring oscillator, crystaloscillator, or timing circuit, generates one or more clock signals thathave a rate corresponding to the rate of the RF signal in accordancewith an oscillation feedback signal. For instance, if the RF signal is a900 MHz signal, the rate of the clock signals will be n*900 MHz, where“n” is equal to or greater than 1.

The oscillation calibration module 748 produces the oscillation feedbacksignal from a clock signal of the one or more clock signals and thestream of recovered data. In general, the oscillation calibration module748 compares the rate of the clock signal with the rate of the stream ofrecovered data. Based on this comparison, the oscillation calibrationmodule 748 generates the oscillation feedback to indicate to theoscillation module 744 to maintain the current rate, speed up thecurrent rate, or slow down the current rate.

The processing module 746 receives the stream of recovered data and aclock signal of the one or more clock signals. The processing module 746interprets the stream of recovered data to determine a command orcommands contained therein. The command may be to store data, updatedata, reply with stored data, verify command compliance, generate motiondata that carries motion signals 522 from motion sensor 520, send anacknowledgement, etc. If the command(s) requires a response, theprocessing module 746 provides a signal to the transistor T1 at a ratecorresponding to the RF signal. The signal toggles transistor T1 on andoff to generate an RF response signal that is transmitted via theantenna. In one embodiment, the RFID tag 735 utilizing a back-scatteringRF communication. Note that the resistor R1 functions to decouple thepower generating circuit 740 from the received RF signals and thetransmitted RF signals.

The RFID tag 735 may further include a current reference (not shown)that provides one or more reference, or bias, currents to theoscillation module 744, the oscillation calibration module 748, theenvelope detection module 752, and the comparator 750. The bias currentmay be adjusted to provide a desired level of biasing for each of themodules 744, 748, 750, and 752.

FIG. 36 is a diagram of another method for determining position and/ormotion tracking that begins in step 1300 by determining a referencepoint within a coordinate system. The reference point may be the originor any other point within the localized physical area. In particular,the reference point can be the location of the game console 600, thelocation of the game object 610 at a particular time, such as a set-uptime, or the location of one of a plurality of remote motion sensingdevices 526, however, other reference points can likewise be used.

The method continues in one or more branches. Along one branch, a vectorwith respect to the reference point is determined to indicate theplayer's initial position based on the reference point as shown in step1302. This branch continues by updating the player's position to trackthe player's motion based on user data as shown in step 1304.

The other branch includes determining a vector with respect to thereference point for the gaming object 610 and/or the remote motionsensing devices 526 to establish their initial position as shown in step1306. This branch continues by updating the motion data to track thegaming object's or player's motion as shown in step 1308. Note that therate of tracking the motion of the player and/or gaming object may bedone at a rate based on the video gaming being played and the expectedspeed of motion. Further note that a tracking rate of 10 millisecondsprovides 0.1 mm accuracy in motion tracking.

FIG. 37 is a diagram of another method for determining position and/ormotion tracking that begins in step 1310 by determining the coordinatesof the player's, or players′, position in the physical area. The methodthen continues by determining the coordinates of a gaming object'sinitial position as shown in step 1312. Note that the positioning of thegaming object may be used to determine the position of the player(s) ifthe gaming object is something worn by the player or is close proximityto the player. Alternatively, the initial position of the player may beused to determine the initial position of the gaming object. Note thatone or more of the plurality of positioning techniques described hereinmay be used to determine the position of the player and/or of the gamingobject.

The method then proceeds by updating the coordinates of the player's, orplayers', position in the physical area to track the player's motion asshown in step 1314. The method also continues by updating thecoordinates of a gaming object's position to track its motion as shownin step 1316. Note that the motion of the gaming object may be used todetermine the motion of the player(s) if the gaming object is somethingworn by the player or is close proximity to the player. Alternatively,the motion of the player may be used to determine the motion of thegaming object. Note that one or more of the plurality of motiontechniques described herein may be used to determine the position of theplayer and/or of the gaming object.

While described in terms of a gaming object, such as gaming object 610,the method above may likewise be employed to determine positions of theremote motion sensing devices 526.

FIG. 38 is a diagram of another method for determining position and/ormotion tracking that begins in step 1320 by determining a referencepoint within the physical area in which the gaming object lays and/or inwhich the game system lays. The method then proceeds by determining avector for a player's initial position with respect to a reference pointof a coordinate system as shown in step 1322. As an example, if thephysical area is a room, a point in the room is selected as the originand the coordinate system is applied to at least some of the room.

The method then continues by determining a vector of a gaming object610's initial position as shown in step 1324. Note that the positioningof the gaming object may be used to determine the position of theplayer(s) if the gaming object 610 is something worn by the player or isclose proximity to the player. Alternatively, the initial position ofthe player may be used to determine the initial position of the gamingobject 610. Note that one or more of the plurality of positioningtechniques described herein may be used to determine the position of theplayer and/or of the gaming object.

The method then proceeds by updating the vector of the player's, orplayers', position in the physical area to track the player's motion asshown in step 1326. The method also continues by updating the vector ofthe gaming object's position to track its motion as shown in step 1328.Note that the motion of the gaming object 610 may be used to determinethe motion of the player(s) if the gaming object is something worn bythe player or is close proximity to the player. Alternatively, themotion of the player may be used to determine the motion of the gamingobject 610. Note that one or more of the plurality of motion techniquesdescribed herein may be used to determine the position of the playerand/or of the gaming object.

While described in terms of a gaming object, such as gaming object 610,the method above may likewise be employed to determine positions of theremote motion sensing devices 526.

FIG. 39 is a schematic block diagram of a side view of anotherembodiment of a gaming system in accordance with the present invention.A gaming object 610′ is provided that be implemented via gaming object610, 611 or communication device 117 or via another gaming object thatgenerates motion data 602 and that wirelessly transmits the motion data602 to a game console 600′ over a wireless communication path. Gameconsole 600 can be similar to game console 600. The wirelesscommunication path can be a implemented in accordance with one or morewireless telephony transceivers that operate in accordance with awireless telephony protocol, via RFID communication, or via otherwireless communications.

In this embodiment however, either the gaming object 610′ or the gameconsole 600′ operates in accordance with a motion prediction model, forinstance, that represents a biomechanical trajectory 800 of the user 606or more specifically the user's body, during the playing of a game. Theuse of this motion prediction model can be used generate trajectory datathat more accurately represents the motion of gaming object 610′ or thebody of user 606 with optionally less motion data 602 being communicatedover the wireless communication path 604.

FIG. 40 is a block diagram representation of a gaming system inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Inparticular, a gaming system is shown that includes game console 600′ andgaming object 610′. Gaming object 610′ includes one or more motionsensors 616 for generating motion data, such as motion data 602 inresponse to the actions of a user, such as user 606. Motion sensor 616can include an on-chip gyrator or accelerometer or other position ormotion sensing device along with other driver circuitry for generatingmotion data 602 based on the actions of the user 606.

Transceiver 620 wireless transmits the motion data 602 to thetransceiver 631 of game console 600′. Transceivers 620 and 631 canoperate via a wireless telephony protocol when, for instance, gamingobject 610′ is implemented via communication device 117. However, orwireless communication paths cal likewise be used such as a Bluetoothcommunication interface or other short range communication path.

In an embodiment of the present invention an RFID communication path isemployed where the transceiver 620 is coupled to receive an RF signalinitiated by game console 600′, such as a 60 GHz RF signal or other RFsignal. In a similar fashion to a passive RFID tag, millimeter wavetransceiver 620 converts energy from the RF signal into a power signalfor powering the millimeter wave transceiver 620 or all or some portionof the gaming object 610′. By the gaming object 610′ deriving power, inwhile or in part, based on RF signal, gaming object 610′ can optionallybe portable, small and light. In this embodiment, millimeter wavetransceiver 620 conveys the motion data 602 back to the game console600′ by backscattering the RF signal based on motion data 102.

Game console 600′ includes an interface module 632 for coupling to thegaming object 610′. In particular, interface module 632 includes atransceiver 631 or receiver that receives the motion data 602. Asdiscussed above, transceiver 631 can be a millimeter wave transceiverthat transmits an RF signal for powering the gaming object 610′. In thiscase, millimeter wave transceiver 631 demodulates the backscattering ofthe RF signal to recover the motion data 602.

Similar to game console 600, game console 600′ includes a memory 624 andprocessor 622 that are coupled to interface module 632 via a bus 625.While not expressly shown, game console 600′ can further include anetwork interface, such as network interface 627, that provides acoupling to a network, such as network 119 as discussed in conjunctionwith FIGS. 4-8. In particular, this network interface itself can be usedto receive data such as motion data 602 or other gaming data, such asgaming data 66 from the gaming object 610′, to send display data orother gaming data back to the gaming object 610′ or a remote displaydevice, and further to communicate authentication data, download gameapplications, run remote game applications, etc.

Game console 600′ further includes a trajectory generation module 625that generates trajectory data based on the motion data 602 and based ona motion prediction model provided by model generation module 635. Asdiscussed in conjunction with FIG. 39, the motion prediction modelrepresents a biomechanical trajectory of a user of the gaming object610′ in accordance with a game.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the model generation module635 generates the motion prediction model based on a game selectionsignal from processor 622 that indicates which, of a plurality of games,has been selected and that is being executed. For instance, in a motionprediction model can operate to provide one or more biomechanicaltrajectories that correspond to the game being played. The trajectorygeneration module 625 can generate trajectory data that “fits” themotion data 602 based on this trajectory.

Consider an example where user 606 is playing a bowling game. The gamingobject 610′ is placed in his or her hand and is swung to simulate thethrowing of the bowling ball. The gaming object 610′ generates motiondata 602 based on the motion of gaming object 610′ during the simulatedthrow and sends the motion data 602 to the game console 600′. In thisexample, the motion prediction model can fit the motion data 602 to atrajectory that represents the user 606 throwing a bowling ball. Ineffect, the trajectory generation module 625 fits the model data 602 toone of a family of “bowling ball throw” trajectories having, forinstance, different speeds, different angles, differing amounts ofspin/curve. The trajectory model generation module 625 then generatesthe trajectory data based on either the selection of one of a discretenumber of possible trajectories or the identification of particulartrajectory parameters that describe a particular trajectory. Thetrajectory data can then be used by the processor 622 to generate adisplay signal 628 that shows the particular bowling ball throw on thescreen and the resulting knocking down of pins (if any).

Consider a further example where user 606 is playing a tennis game. Thegaming object 610′ is placed in his or her hand and is swung to simulatethe motion of the tennis racquet in stroking a tennis ball. The gamingobject 610′ generates motion data 602 based on the motion of gamingobject 610′ during the simulated motion and sends the motion data 602 tothe game console 600′. In this example, the motion prediction model canfit the motion data 602 to a trajectory that represents the user 606hitting the ball. In effect, the trajectory generation module 625 fitsthe model data 602 to one of a family of “tennis swings” trajectorieshaving, for instance, forehand shots, backhand shots, drop shots,overhead shots, serves, etc. having different speeds, different angles,differing amounts of spin/curve. The trajectory model generation module625 then generates the trajectory data based on either the selection ofone of a discrete number of possible trajectories and/or theidentification of particular trajectory parameters that describe aparticular trajectory. The trajectory data can then be used by theprocessor 622 to generate a display signal 628 that shows the particulartennis shots on the screen.

While described above in the context of bowling and tennis, the modelgeneration module 635 can operate to generate motion prediction modelswith the respect to a wider range of games that involve simulatedcombat, dancing, other sports, racing and other game activities wherethe motion data 602 can be used to generate trajectory data that is usedin the execution of the gaming application to simulate the motion of theuser 606. While the description above has focused on motion data 602received from gaming object 610′ derived from a single motion sensor616, a plurality of motion sensors could likewise be employed tosimulate more complex motion. Further, motion data 602 can be receivedfrom a gaming object 611 that collects motion signals from a pluralityof remote motion sensing devices 640. In this fashion, more complextrajectories including multiple body parts of user 606 can be determinedbased on the motion data 602 to simulate a jump, throw, running, orother motion of the user's body in the context of one or more games.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the model generation module635 generates a motion prediction model, such as a finite element modelthat corresponds to the position and/or motion of a plurality of bodyparts of user 606. In this fashion, trajectory data of the arms, legs,hands, head, etc. of the user 606 can be determined by trajectorygeneration module 625 based on motion data 602. In particular, motiondata 602 corresponding to a plurality of remote motion sensing devices,such as remote motion sensing devices 526 associated with differentportions of the body of user 606, can be fit to the motion predictionmodel of a body to simulate complex motion of the body in the context ofone or more games.

In operation, processor 622 executes one or more routines such as anoperating system, utilities, and one or more applications such as videogame applications or other gaming applications that operate based on thetrajectory data and optionally other gaming data received from gamingobject 610′, that optionally generate other data for transmission backto the gaming object 610′, and produce video information, further basedon the trajectory data, such as display data that can be converted todisplay signal 628 via driver 626. The driver 626 can be a signalgeneration module or other video processor for use by an integrateddisplay device or a display device coupled to game console 600′ via anoptional display port, such as a video connector, component video port,S-video connector, parallel or serial video port, HDMI port or othervideo port.

Processor 622 can include a dedicated or shared processing device. Sucha processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operationalinstructions. The memory 624 can be a single memory device or aplurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be a read-onlymemory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory,static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device thatstores digital information. Note that when the processor 622 implementsone or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry,digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory storing thecorresponding operational instructions is embedded with the circuitrycomprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry. While a particular bus architecture is shown,alternative bus architectures including architectures having two or morebuses or direct connectivity between the various modules of game console600′, can likewise be employed within the broad scope of the presentinvention.

FIG. 41 is a graphical representation of trajectory data determined inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular,example trajectory data 904 is presented that corresponds to athree-dimensional trajectory that is based on motion data 902, such asmotion data 602 from a single motion sensor. While the motion data 902and trajectory data 904 are shown in the context of a Cartesiancoordinate system, other coordinate systems can likewise be employed.

In this embodiment, trajectory generation module 625 generates thetrajectory data 904 by interpolating the motion data 902 based on themotion prediction model. In this case, the motion prediction module caninclude a mathematical function such as a linear function, atrigonometric function, polynomial function of other function that isfit to the motion data 902 using a curve-fitting technique and used tointerpolate trajectory data. In this fashion, motion data collected atlower resolution or a lower data rate can be used to generate trajectorydata at a higher resolution or a higher data rate to simulate the motionof the user 606 in the context of a game.

For example, motion data 902 corresponding to a simulated golf swing canbe collected from a gaming object, such as gaming object 610, 610′ or611, at a data rate of 10 samples per second. This motion data 902 canbe fit to a mathematical function that represents the biomechanicaltrajectory of possible golf swings and used to generate interpolatedtrajectory data 904 at a higher data rate such as 50 samples per secondfor the rendering of a smooth golf swing when presented on a videodisplay.

FIG. 42 is a graphical representation of trajectory data determined inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Inparticular, example trajectory data 908 is presented that corresponds toa three-dimensional trajectory that is based on a model trajectoryderived from motion data 602 from a single motion sensor. While thetrajectory data 908 is shown in the context of a Cartesian coordinatesystem, other coordinate systems can likewise be employed.

In one example, the motion data 602 includes position data that is usedby trajectory generation module 625 to select a best-fit modeltrajectory 906 of a finite number of possible trajectories generated bymodel generation module 635. Considering again the case of a simulatedgolf swing, motion data can be collected from a gaming object, such asgaming object 610, 610′ or 611, and compared to each of the a finitenumber of possible trajectories generated by model generation module 635corresponding to a finite number of possible golf swings. The motiondata 602 can be compared to each possible trajectory to determine themodel trajectory 906 that provides the best fit, such as best leastsquares fit, smallest absolute deviation or other best fit to the motiondata 602. Once the model trajectory 906 is determined, trajectorygeneration module 625 generates the trajectory data 908 in accordancewith the selected model trajectory 906.

In a further example, motion data 602 include a plurality of modelparameters of the motion prediction model, such as polynomialcoefficients of a polynomial trajectory, or other coefficients or modelparameters of a mathematical function that describe the motion of one ormore motion sensors. In this embodiment, trajectory generation module925 generates the model trajectory 906 based on the model parametersincluded in the motion data 602 and, in turn, generates the trajectorydata 908 based on the model trajectory.

FIG. 43 is a graphical representation of trajectory data determined inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Inparticular, example trajectory data 912 is presented that corresponds toa three-dimensional trajectory that is based on differential motiondata. In this example motion data 602 includes motion vectors 910 thatdescribe the magnitude and direction of the motion. Trajectorygeneration module 625 generates a current position for the trajectorydata 912 based on a prior position of the trajectory data 912 andfurther based on this differential motion data. While the motion vectors910 and trajectory data 912 are shown in the context of a Cartesiancoordinate system, other coordinate systems can likewise be employed.

FIG. 44 is a schematic block diagram representation of a gaming systemin accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Inparticular, a gaming system, including gaming object 609 and gameconsole 607 is presented that is similar to the gaming system presentedin conjunction with FIG. 40 where similar elements are referred to bycommon reference numerals. In this embodiment however, the applicationof the motion prediction model is included in the gaming object 609,such as communication device 117 or gaming object 610 or 611.

Gaming object 609 includes a motion sensor 616 for generating motionsignals in response to motion of the gaming object 609. Motion datageneration module 645 generates motion data 603 based on the motionsignals and based on a motion prediction model supplied for instance bymodel generation module 635. A transmitter or transceiver 620 is coupledto sends the motion data 603 to a game device 607 such as game console600 or 600′ or game device 115 or 115′.

In this embodiment, the motion data generation module 645, such asmotion data generation module 55, can generate motion data 603, such asmotion data 602, motion data 902 and/or motion vectors 910. Forinstance, the motion data 603 can include a plurality of modelparameters of the motion prediction model. The motion prediction modelcan include a polynomial trajectory and the plurality of modelparameters include a plurality of polynomial coefficients. The motiondata 603 can include differential motion data. As discussed inconjunction with FIG. 40, model generation module 635 can generates themotion prediction model based on a game selection signal from processingmodule 622′ or received from game device 607 that indicates the game.

In addition, model generation module can selects a data rate for themotion data based on the game selection signal. For example in a gamewhere fast motion such as a golf swing is expected, a fast data rate canbe selected for more frequent sampling of motion signals from motionsensor 616. In other games such as a chess game that simulates themotion of a user's hand to pick and place a chess piece, a slower datarate can be employed to, for instance, save bandwidth. One of aplurality of data rates or direct sampling rates can be selected basedon the desired motion accuracy and the expected speed of motion for aparticular game that has been selected.

Processor 622′ can include a dedicated or shared processing device. Sucha processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operationalinstructions. The memory 624′ can be a single memory device or aplurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be a read-onlymemory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory,static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device thatstores digital information. Note that when the processor 622′ implementsone or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry,digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory storing thecorresponding operational instructions is embedded with the circuitrycomprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry. While a particular bus architecture is shownwith bus 628′, alternative bus architectures including architectureshaving two or more buses or direct connectivity between the variousmodules of gaming object 609′, can likewise be employed within the broadscope of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a schematic block diagram of a side view of anotherembodiment of a gaming system in accordance with the present invention.In this embodiment, a gaming object 610″ communicates user data 698 togame console 600″, such as game console 600, 600′, game device 115 orgame device 115′. The user data 698 can include authentication data,such as a password, user ID, device ID or other authenticating the forauthenticating the user 606 to the game console 600″ or to a serviceprovided through game console 600″. Further, the authentication data isusable by the game console 600″ to set access privileges for the user inaccordance with at least one game executed by the game console. In thisfashion, a user can be identified as a subscriber or other authorizedperson to play a game, can be identified as the user 606 as above aminimum age to play an age restricted game, can be identified as havingsufficient access privileges to play a game, a particular type of gameor a game with a particular rating or range of ratings.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the user data 698 can alsoinclude product registration data for the user 606 in accordance with atleast one game executed by the game console 600″ so that the productregistration data can automatically be supplied to game console 600″ ora service provider coupled thereto via a network. In this fashion, theuser's product information can be obtained each time a new game isinitiated, without having to query the user 606 each time and without apotentially laborious process of reentering the product registration.

The user data 698 can further include personal preferences data for theuser 606 such as security preferences or data, volume settings, graphicssettings, experience levels, names, character selections, etc. that areeither game parameters that are specific to a particular game or thatare specific to the user's use of the game console 600″.

In this fashion, the use of different gaming objects 610″ with differentusers 606 can automatically result in the gaming experience to becustomized based on the preferences of user 606 via the user data 698.Similarly, a single gaming object 610″ can store user data 698corresponding to a plurality of users. A user 606 can select his or heruser data 698 via an optional user interface provided by gaming object610″ for transmission to game console 600″.

Gaming object 610″ can be implemented within gaming object 609, 610,610′, 611, or communication device 117′. Gaming object 610″ can be agame dedicated device such as a card, tag or game controller.Alternatively, gaming device 610″ can be a personal device withnon-gaming functionality such as a personal digital assistant, a mobilecommunication device, a jewelry item, a key chain, a flash drive, orother dongle device, or a digital camera. In either case the gamingobject 610″ can include a wearable housing that includes a strap, a clipor other device for attaching to the user's person or that itself is anarticle of clothing or jewelry such as a cap, a glove, a bracelet, anecklace, a ring or other object that can be worn by the user,

FIG. 46 is a schematic block diagram representation of a gaming systemin accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Inparticular, a gaming system is shown that includes game console 600″ andgaming object 610″. Gaming object 610 includes a memory 900 for storinguser data, such as user data 698. Transceiver 670 is coupled to receivean RF signal 608 initiated by game console 600″, such as a 60 GHz RFsignal or other RF signal. In a similar fashion to a passive RFID tag,transceiver 670 converts energy from the RF signal 608 into a powersignal for powering the transceiver 670 or all or some portion of thegaming object 610″. By the gaming object 610″ deriving power, in whileor in part, based on RF signal 608, gaming object 610″ can optionally beportable, small and light. Transceiver 670 conveys the user data 698back to the game console 600″ by backscattering the RF signal 608 basedon user data 698.

Game console 600″ includes an interface module 632 for coupling to thegaming object 610″. In particular, interface module 632 includes atransceiver 680 that transmits RF signal 608 for powering the gamingobject 610″. In operation, transceiver 680 demodulates thebackscattering of the RF signal 608 to recover the user data 698.

Game console 600 further includes a memory 624 and processor 622 thatare coupled to interface module 632 via a bus 625. In operation,processor 622 executes one or more routines such as an operating system,utilities, and one or more applications such as video game applicationsor other gaming applications that produce video information that isconverted to display signal 628 via driver 626. Processor 622 caninclude a dedicated or shared processing device. Such a processingdevice may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signalprocessor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmablegate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry,analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulatessignals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. Thememory 624 can be a single memory device or a plurality of memorydevices. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random accessmemory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamicmemory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital information.Note that when the processor 622 implements one or more of its functionsvia a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operational instructionsis embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. While a particularbus architecture is shown, alternative bus architectures includingarchitectures having two or more buses or direct connectivity betweenthe various modules of game console 600, can likewise be employed withinthe broad scope of the present invention.

In an embodiment of the present invention, game console 600″ furtherincludes conditional access module 682 that authenticates the user basedon authentication data included in the user data 698 and further cansets at least one access privilege for the user in accordance with theat least one game. In operation, the conditional access module 682compares the user data 698 in a user database stored in memory 624corresponding to the user 606. When the user data 698 compares favorableto the data stored in the user database, the user 606 is authenticatedand access privileges can be set based on the access privileges listedin the user database.

As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 45, the user data 698 can alsoinclude product registration data for the user 606 in accordance with atleast one game executed by the game console 600″ so that the productregistration data can automatically be supplied to game console 600″ ora service provider coupled thereto via a network. In this fashion, theuser's product information can be obtained each time a new game isinitiated, without having to query the user 606 each time and without apotentially laborious process of reentering the product registration.

The user data 698 can further include personal preferences data for theuser 606 such as security preferences or data, volume settings, graphicssettings, experience levels, names, character selections, etc. that areeither game parameters that are specific to a particular game or thatare specific to the user's use of the game console 600″.

While not expressly shown, game console 600′ can further include anetwork interface, such as network interface 627, that provides acoupling to a network, such as network 119 as discussed in conjunctionwith FIGS. 4-8. In particular, this network can be used to communicateauthentication data product registration data or user preferences datato a remote server in conjunction the provision of a local game or anon-line game delivered via game console 600″.

FIG. 47 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RFID readerand an RFID tag in accordance another embodiment of the presentinvention. In particular, RFID reader 705 represents a particularimplementation of transceiver 680. In addition, RFID tag 735 representsa particular implementation of transceiver 670. As shown, RFID reader705 includes a protocol processing module 40, an encoding module 542, anRF front-end 546, a digitization module 548, a predecoding module 550and a decoding module 552, all of which together form components of theRFID reader 705. RFID 705 optionally includes a digital-to-analogconverter (DAC) 544.

The protocol processing module 540 is operably coupled to prepare datafor encoding in accordance with a particular RFID standardized protocol.In an exemplary embodiment, the protocol processing module 540 isprogrammed with multiple RFID standardized protocols to enable the RFIDreader 705 to communicate with any RFID tag, regardless of theparticular protocol associated with the tag. In this embodiment, theprotocol processing module 540 operates to program filters and othercomponents of the encoding module 542, decoding module 552, pre-decodingmodule 550 and RF front end 546 in accordance with the particular RFIDstandardized protocol of the tag(s) currently communicating with theRFID reader 705. However, if the remote motion sensing devices 526 eachoperate in accordance with a single protocol, and the RFID reader is notused by communication device 117 for other purposes, such as conditionalaccess, payment transaction, etc, this flexibility can be omitted.

In operation, once the particular RFID standardized protocol has beenselected for communication with one or more RFID tags, such as RFID tag735, the protocol processing module 540 generates and provides digitaldata to be communicated to the RFID tag 735 to the encoding module 542for encoding in accordance with the selected RFID standardized protocol.This digital data can include commands to power up the RFID tag 735, toread motion data or other commands or data used by the RFID tag inassociation with its operation. By way of example, but not limitation,the RFID protocols may include one or more line encoding schemes, suchas Manchester encoding, FM0 encoding, FM1 encoding, etc. Thereafter, inthe embodiment shown, the digitally encoded data is provided to thedigital-to-analog converter 544 which converts the digitally encodeddata into an analog signal. The RF front-end 546 modulates the analogsignal to produce an RF signal at a particular carrier frequency that istransmitted via antenna 560 to one or more RFID tags, such as RF ID rag735. The antenna 560 can include a near-field coil.

The RF front-end 546 further includes transmit blocking capabilitiessuch that the energy of the transmitted RF signal does not substantiallyinterfere with the receiving of a back-scattered or other RF signalreceived from one or more RFID tags via the antenna 560. Upon receivingan RF signal from one or more RFID tags, the RF front-end 546 convertsthe received RF signal into a baseband signal. The digitization module548, which may be a limiting module or an analog-to-digital converter,converts the received baseband signal into a digital signal. Thepredecoding module 550 converts the digital signal into an encodedsignal in accordance with the particular RFID protocol being utilized.The encoded data is provided to the decoding module 552, whichrecaptures data, such as user data 698 therefrom in accordance with theparticular encoding scheme of the selected RFID protocol. The protocolprocessing module 540 processes the recovered data to identify theobject(s) associated with the RFID tag(s) and/or provides the recovereddata to the processor 622 for further processing.

The processing module 540 may be a single processing device or aplurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be amicroprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/oroperational instructions. The processing module may have an associatedmemory element, which may be a single memory device, a plurality ofmemory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of the processing module. Sucha memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory,volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory,flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digitalinformation. Note that when the processing module 540 implements one ormore of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory element storing thecorresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, orexternal to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

RFID tag 735 that includes a power generating circuit 740, anoscillation module 744, a processing module 746, an oscillationcalibration module 748, a comparator 750, an envelope detection module752, a capacitor C1, and a transistor T1. The oscillation module 744,the processing module 746, the oscillation calibration module 748, thecomparator 750, and the envelope detection module 752 may be a singleprocessing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such aprocessing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of thecircuitry and/or operational instructions. One or more of the modules744, 746, 748, 750, 752 may have an associated memory element, which maybe a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/orembedded circuitry of the module. Such a memory device may be aread-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatilememory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory,and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that when themodules 744, 746, 748, 750, 752 implement one or more of their functionsvia a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory element storing the corresponding operationalinstructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitrycomprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry.

In operation, the power generating circuit 740 generates a supplyvoltage (V_(DD)) from a radio frequency (RF) signal that is received viaantenna 754. The power generating circuit 740 stores the supply voltageV_(DD) in capacitor C1 and provides it to modules 744, 746, 748, 750,752.

When the supply voltage V_(DD) is present, the envelope detection module752 determines an envelope of the RF signal, which includes a DCcomponent corresponding to the supply voltage V_(DD). In one embodiment,the RF signal is an amplitude modulation signal, where the envelope ofthe RF signal includes transmitted data. The envelope detection module752 provides an envelope signal to the comparator 750. The comparator750 compares the envelope signal with a threshold to produce a stream ofrecovered data.

The oscillation module 744, which may be a ring oscillator, crystaloscillator, or timing circuit, generates one or more clock signals thathave a rate corresponding to the rate of the RF signal in accordancewith an oscillation feedback signal. For instance, if the RF signal is a900 MHz signal, the rate of the clock signals will be n*900 MHz, where“n” is equal to or greater than 1.

The oscillation calibration module 748 produces the oscillation feedbacksignal from a clock signal of the one or more clock signals and thestream of recovered data. In general, the oscillation calibration module748 compares the rate of the clock signal with the rate of the stream ofrecovered data. Based on this comparison, the oscillation calibrationmodule 748 generates the oscillation feedback to indicate to theoscillation module 744 to maintain the current rate, speed up thecurrent rate, or slow down the current rate.

The processing module 746 receives the stream of recovered data and aclock signal of the one or more clock signals. The processing module 746interprets the stream of recovered data to determine a command orcommands contained therein. The command may be to store data, updatedata, reply with stored data, verify command compliance, retrieve userdata 698 from memory 900, send an acknowledgement, etc. If thecommand(s) requires a response, the processing module 746 provides asignal to the transistor T1 at a rate corresponding to the RF signal.The signal toggles transistor T1 on and off to generate an RF responsesignal that is transmitted via the antenna. In one embodiment, the RFIDtag 735 utilizing a back-scattering RF communication. Note that theresistor R1 functions to decouple the power generating circuit 740 fromthe received RF signals and the transmitted RF signals.

The RFID tag 735 may further include a current reference (not shown)that provides one or more reference, or bias, currents to theoscillation module 744, the oscillation calibration module 748, theenvelope detection module 752, and the comparator 750. The bias currentmay be adjusted to provide a desired level of biasing for each of themodules 744, 748, 750, and 752.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-47. In step 1000, motiondata is received in response to motion of a gaming object. In step 1002,trajectory data is generated based on the motion data and based on amotion prediction model. In step 1004, a gaming application is executedbased on the trajectory data to generate display data.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the motion prediction modelrepresents a biomechanical trajectory of a user of the gaming object inaccordance with a game. The trajectory data can be generated byinterpolating the motion data based on the motion prediction model. Themotion data can include a plurality of model parameters of the motionprediction model. The motion prediction model can include a polynomialtrajectory and the plurality of model parameters can include a pluralityof polynomial coefficients. The motion data can include differentialmotion data and the trajectory data can include a current position thatis generated based on a prior position and further based on thedifferential motion data.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-48. In step 1010, motionsignals are generated in response to motion of the gaming object. Instep 1012, motion data is generated based on the motion signals andbased on a motion prediction model. In step 1014, the motion data issent to a game device.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the motion prediction modelrepresents a biomechanical trajectory of a user of the game controllerin accordance with a game. The motion data can include a plurality ofmodel parameters of the motion prediction model. The motion predictionmodel can include a polynomial trajectory and the plurality of modelparameters can include a plurality of polynomial coefficients. Further,the motion data include differential motion data.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-49. In step 1020, themotion prediction model is generated based on a game selection signalthat indicates the game.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-50. In step 1030, a datarate can be selected for the motion data based on a game selectionsignal.

FIG. 52 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-51. In step 1040, userdata is stored. In step 1042, an RF signal is received from a gameconsole. In step 1044, the RF signal is converted into a power signalfor powering a gaming object. In step 1046, the RF signal isbackscattered based on user data. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, the user data includes security data for the user inaccordance with at least one on-line game executed by the game console.

FIG. 53 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-52. In step 1050, theuser data includes authentication data and a user is authenticated tothe game console based on the authentication data.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-53. In step 1060, accessprivileges are set for the user in accordance with at least one gameexecuted by the game console, based on the authentication data.

FIG. 55 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-54. In step 1070, theuser data includes product registration data for the user in accordancewith at least one game executed by the game console and a product isregistered based on the product registration data.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-55. In step 1080, theuser data includes personal preferences data for the user and gameparameters corresponding to at least one game executed by the gameconsole are set based on the personal preferences data.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-56. In step 1090, gamingdata is generated in response to the actions of a user. In step 1092,the gaming data is sent to a game device in a gaming mode of operation.In step 1094, wireless telephony data is transceived with a wirelesstelephony network in a telephony mode of operation.

In an embodiment of the present invention the gaming device includes ahome gaming console and step 1092 includes adjusting a transmit power toa low power state, sending the gaming data to the gaming device inaccordance with a wireless telephony protocol, transmitting radiofrequency signals directly to the gaming device, and/or transmittingradio frequency signals to a network coupled to the gaming device.

FIG. 58 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-57. In step 1100, displaydata is received from the gaming device in the gaming mode of operationand the display data is displayed.

FIG. 59 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-58. In step 1110, gamingdata is received from a mobile communication device. In step 1112, agaming application is executed based on the gaming data to generatedisplay data. In an embodiment of the present invention, the gaming datais received in accordance with a wireless telephony protocol and/or viaa network.

FIG. 60 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-59. In step 1120, thedisplay data is transmitted to a display device via the network.

FIG. 61 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-60. In step 11130, thedisplay data is transmitted to the mobile communication device.

FIG. 62 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-61. In step 1140, motionsignals are generated in response to motion of the mobile communicationdevice. In step 1142, motion data are generated based on the motionsignals. In step 1144, the motion data are sent to a game device in agaming mode of operation of the mobile communication device. In step1146, wireless telephony data are transceived with a wireless telephonynetwork in a telephony mode of operation of the mobile communicationdevice.

FIG. 63 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-62. In step 1150, motionsignals are received from at least one remote motion sensing device. Instep 1152, motion data are generated based on the motion signals. Instep 1154, the motion data are sent to a game device in a gaming mode ofoperation of the mobile communication device. In step 1156, wirelesstelephony data are transceived with a wireless telephony network in atelephony mode of operation of the mobile communication device. In anembodiment of the present invention, the motion signals are receivedfrom a plurality of remote sensors at a plurality of correspondinglocations.

FIG. 64 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-63. In step 1160, aglobal positioning system (GPS) signal is received. In step 1162, GPSposition data is generated based on the GPS signal. In step 1164, atleast a portion of the GPS position data is sent to the game device inthe gaming mode of operation.

FIG. 65 is a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-64. In step 1160, aglobal positioning system (GPS) signal is received. In step 1162, GPSposition data is generated based on the GPS signal, and the motion datais generated based on the GPS position data. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, the motion data is generated based on a motion vectorthat is based on the motion signals and further based on a referenceposition based on the GPS position data.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct couplingbetween items and/or indirect coupling between items via an interveningitem (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, anelement, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, theintervening item does not modify the information of a signal but mayadjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As mayfurther be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element iscoupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirectcoupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As mayeven further be used herein, the term “operable to” indicates that anitem includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s),etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may furtherinclude inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may stillfurther be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes directand/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item beingembedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “comparesfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items,signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when thedesired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude thansignal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude ofsignal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude ofsignal 2 is less than that of signal 1.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that thefunctional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules andcomponents herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discretecomponents, application specific integrated circuits, processorsexecuting appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

1. A gaming object comprising: a memory for storing user data; and anradio frequency identification (RFID) transceiver coupled to: receive anRF signal from a game console; convert the RF signal into a power signalfor powering the gaming object; and backscatter the RF signal based onuser data.
 2. The gaming object of claim 1 wherein the user dataincludes authentication data for authenticating the user to the gameconsole.
 3. The gaming object of claim 2 wherein the authentication datais usable by the game console to set access privileges for the user inaccordance with at least one game executed by the game console.
 4. Thegaming object of claim 1 wherein the user data includes productregistration data for the user in accordance with at least one gameexecuted by the game console.
 5. The gaming object of claim 1 whereinthe user data includes personal preferences data for the user.
 6. Thegaming object of claim 5 wherein the personal preferences data includegame parameters corresponding to at least one game executed by the gameconsole.
 7. The gaming object of claim 1 wherein the user data includessecurity data for the user in accordance with at least one on-line gameexecuted by the game console.
 8. The gaming object of claim 1 furthercomprising: a wearable housing that can be worn by the user.
 9. Thegaming object of claim 1 wherein the gaming object is implemented in apersonal device with non-gaming functionality.
 10. The gaming object ofclaim 9 wherein the personal device, includes at least one of: apersonal digital assistant, a mobile communication device, a jewelryitem, a key chain, a flash drive, a dongle device, and a digital camera.11. A game console comprising: a processing module that executes atleast one game; and an radio frequency identification (RFID) transceivercoupled to: transmit an RF signal to a gaming object; and receive abackscattered RF signal that includes user data.
 12. The game console ofclaim 11 further comprising: a conditional access module thatauthenticates the user based on authentication data included in the userdata.
 13. The game console of claim 12 wherein conditional access modulesets at least one access privilege for the user in accordance with theat least one game.
 14. The gaming object of claim 11 wherein the userdata includes product registration data for the user in accordance withthe at least one game.
 15. The gaming object of claim 11 wherein theuser data includes personal preferences data for the user.
 16. Thegaming object of claim 15 wherein the personal preferences data includegame parameters corresponding to the at least one game.
 17. The gamingobject of claim 11 wherein the at least one game includes an on-linegame and the user data includes security data for the user in accordancewith the on-line game.
 18. A method comprising: storing user data;receiving an RF signal from a game console; converting the RF signalinto a power signal for powering a gaming object; and backscattering theRF signal based on user data.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein theuser data includes authentication data and wherein the method furthercomprises: authenticating a user to the game console based on theauthentication data.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:setting access privileges for the user in accordance with at least onegame executed by the game console, based on the authentication data. 21.The method of claim 18 wherein the user data includes productregistration data for the user in accordance with at least one gameexecuted by the game console and wherein the method further comprises:registering a product based on the product registration data.
 22. Themethod of claim 18 wherein the user data includes personal preferencesdata for the user.
 23. The method of claim 22 further comprising:setting game parameters corresponding to at least one game executed bythe game console based on the personal preferences data.
 24. The methodof claim 18 wherein the user data includes security data for the user inaccordance with at least one on-line game executed by the game console.